Tricyclic heteroaromatic compounds as dipeptidyl peptidase-iv inhibitors for the treatment or prevention of diabetes

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to novel substituted tricyclic heteroaromatic compounds of structural formula (I) which are inhibitors of the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme and which are useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases in which the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme is involved, such as diabetes and particularly Type 2 diabetes. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme is involved.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel substituted tricyclicheteroaromatic compounds which are inhibitors of the dipeptidylpeptidase-IV enzyme (“DPP-4 inhibitors”) and which are useful in thetreatment or prevention of diseases in which the dipeptidyl peptidase-IVenzyme is involved, such as diabetes and particularly Type 2 diabetes.The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprisingthese compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in theprevention or treatment of such diseases in which the dipeptidylpeptidase-IV enzyme is involved.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Diabetes refers to a disease process derived from multiple causativefactors and characterized by elevated levels of plasma glucose orhyperglycemia in the fasting state or after administration of glucoseduring an oral glucose tolerance test. Persistent or uncontrolledhyperglycemia is associated with increased and premature morbidity andmortality. Often abnormal glucose homeostasis is associated bothdirectly and indirectly with alterations of the lipid, lipoprotein andapolipoprotein metabolism and other metabolic and hemodynamic disease.Therefore patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus are at especiallyincreased risk of macrovascular and microvascular complications,including coronary heart disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease,hypertension, nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy. Therefore,therapeutical control of glucose homeostasis, lipid metabolism andhypertension are critically important in the clinical management andtreatment of diabetes mellitus.

There are two generally recognized forms of diabetes. In Type 1diabetes, or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), patientsproduce little or no insulin, the hormone which regulates glucoseutilization. In Type 2 diabetes, or noninsulin dependent diabetesmellitus (NIDDM), patients often have plasma insulin levels that are thesame or even elevated compared to nondiabetic subjects; however, thesepatients have developed a resistance to the insulin stimulating effecton glucose and lipid metabolism in the main insulin-sensitive tissues,which are muscle, liver and adipose tissues, and the plasma insulinlevels, while elevated, are insufficient to overcome the pronouncedinsulin resistance.

Insulin resistance is not primarily due to a diminished number ofinsulin receptors but to a post-insulin receptor binding defect that isnot yet understood. This resistance to insulin responsiveness results ininsufficient insulin activation of glucose uptake, oxidation and storagein muscle and inadequate insulin repression of lipolysis in adiposetissue and of glucose production and secretion in the liver.

The available treatments for Type 2 diabetes, which have not changedsubstantially in many years, have recognized limitations. While physicalexercise and reductions in dietary intake of calories will dramaticallyimprove the diabetic condition, compliance with this treatment is verypoor because of well-entrenched sedentary lifestyles and excess foodconsumption, especially of foods containing high amounts of saturatedfat. Increasing the plasma level of insulin by administration ofsulfonylureas (e.g. tolbutamide and glipizide) or meglitinide, whichstimulate the pancreatic β cells to secrete more insulin, and/or byinjection of insulin when sulfonylureas or meglitinide becomeineffective, can result in insulin concentrations high enough tostimulate the very insulin-resistant tissues. However, dangerously lowlevels of plasma glucose can result from administration of insulin orinsulin secretagogues (sulfonylureas or meglitinide), and an increasedlevel of insulin resistance due to the even higher plasma insulin levelscan occur. The biguanides increase insulin sensitivity resulting in somecorrection of hyperglycemia. However, the two biguanides, phenformin andmetformin, can induce lactic acidosis and nausea/diarrhea. Metformin hasfewer side effects than phenformin and is often prescribed for thetreatment of Type 2 diabetes.

The glitazones (i.e. 5-benzylthiazolidine-2,4-diones) are a morerecently described class of compounds with potential for amelioratingmany symptoms of Type 2 diabetes. These agents substantially increaseinsulin sensitivity in muscle, liver and adipose tissue in severalanimal models of Type 2 diabetes resulting in partial or completecorrection of the elevated plasma levels of glucose without occurrenceof hypoglycemia. The glitazones that are currently marketed are agonistsof the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR), primarily thePPAR-gamma subtype. PPAR-gamma agonism is generally believed to beresponsible for the improved insulin sensititization that is observedwith the glitazones. Newer PPAR agonists that are being tested fortreatment of Type II diabetes are agonists of the alpha, gamma or deltasubtype, or a combination of these, and in many cases are chemicallydifferent from the glitazones (i.e., they are not thiazolidinediones).Serious side effects (e.g. liver toxicity) have occurred with some ofthe glitazones, such as troglitazone.

Additional methods of treating the disease are still underinvestigation. New biochemical approaches that have been recentlyintroduced or are still under development include treatment withalpha-glucosidase inhibitors (e.g. acarbose) and protein tyrosinephosphatase-1B (PTP-1B) inhibitors.

Compounds that are inhibitors of the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (“DPP-4”)enzyme are also under investigation as drugs that may be useful in thetreatment of diabetes, and particularly Type 2 diabetes. See WO97/40832; WO 98/19998; U.S. Pat. No. 5,939,560; U.S. Pat. No. 6,303,661;U.S. Pat. No. 6,699,871; U.S. Pat. No. 6,166,063; Bioorg. Med. Chem.Lett., 6: 1163-1166 (1996); Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett., 6: 2745-2748(1996); Ann E. Weber, J. Med. Chem., 47: 4135-4141 (2004); D. Kim, etal., J. Med. Chem., 48: 141-151 (2005); and K. Augustyns, Exp. Opin.Ther. Patents, 15: 1387-1407 (2005). The usefulness of DPP-4 inhibitorsin the treatment of Type 2 diabetes is based on the fact that DPP-4 invivo readily inactivates glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and gastricinhibitory peptide (GIP). GLP-1 and GIP are incretins and are producedwhen food is consumed. The incretins stimulate production of insulin.Inhibition of DPP-4 leads to decreased inactivation of the incretins,and this in turn results in increased effectiveness of the incretins instimulating production of insulin by the pancreas. DPP-4 inhibitiontherefore results in an increased level of serum insulin.Advantageously, since the incretins are produced by the body only whenfood is consumed, DPP-4 inhibition is not expected to increase the levelof insulin at inappropriate times, such as between meals, which can leadto excessively low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Inhibition of DPP-4 istherefore expected to increase insulin without increasing the risk ofhypoglycemia, which is a dangerous side effect associated with the useof insulin secretagogues.

DPP-4 inhibitors also have other therapeutic utilities, as discussedherein. DPP-4 inhibitors have not been studied extensively to date,especially for utilities other than diabetes. New compounds are neededso that improved DPP-4 inhibitors can be found for the treatment ofdiabetes and potentially other diseases and conditions. In particular,there is a need for DPP-4 inhibitors that are selective over othermembers of the family of serine peptidases that includes quiescent cellproline dipeptidase (QPP), DPP8, and DPP9 (see G. Lankas, et al.,“Dipeptidyl Peptidase-IV Inhibition for the Treatment of Type 2Diabetes,” Diabetes, 54: 2988-2994 (2005). The therapeutic potential ofDPP-4 inhibitors for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes is discussed by D.J. Drucker in Exp. Opin. Invest. Drugs, 12: 87-100 (2003); by K.Augustyns, et al., in Exp. Opin. Ther. Patents, 13: 499-510 (2003); byJ. J. Holst, Exp. Opin. Emerg. Drugs, 9: 155-166 (2004); by H.-U. Demuthin Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 1751: 33-44 (2005); by R. Mentlein, Exp.Opin. Invest. Drugs, 14: 57-64 (2005)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to novel substituted tricyclicheteroaromatic compounds which are inhibitors of the dipeptidylpeptidase-IV enzyme (“DPP-4 inhibitors”) and which are useful in thetreatment or prevention of diseases in which the dipeptidyl peptidase-IVenzyme is involved, such as diabetes and particularly Type 2 diabetes.The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprisingthese compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in theprevention or treatment of such diseases in which the dipeptidylpeptidase-IV enzyme is involved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel substituted tricyclicheteroaromatic compounds that are useful as inhibitors of dipeptidylpeptidase-IV. Compounds of the present invention are described bystructural formula I:

and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; whereineach n is independently 0, 1, 2 or 3;each m is independently 0, 1, or 2;

X is O or CH₂;

V is selected from the group consisting of:

Ar is phenyl optionally substituted with one to five R¹ substituents;each R¹ is independently selected from the group consisting of

-   -   halogen,    -   cyano,    -   hydroxy,    -   C₁₋₆ alkyl, optionally substituted with one to five fluorines,    -   C₁₋₆ alkoxy, optionally substituted with one to five fluorines;        each R² is independently selected from the group consisting of    -   hydrogen,    -   hydroxy,    -   halogen,    -   cyano,    -   C₁₋₁₀ alkoxy, wherein alkoxy is optionally substituted with one        to five substituents independently selected from fluorine and        hydroxy,    -   C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, wherein alkyl is optionally substituted with one to        five substituents independently selected from fluorine and        hydroxy,    -   C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl, wherein alkenyl is optionally substituted with        one to five substituents independently selected from fluorine        and hydroxy,    -   (CH₂)_(n)-aryl, wherein aryl is optionally substituted with one        to five substituents independently selected hydroxy, halogen,        cyano, nitro, CO₂H, C₁₋₆ alkyloxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl, and C₁₋₆        alkoxy, wherein alkyl and alkoxy are optionally substituted with        one to five fluorines,    -   (CH₂)_(n)-heteroaryl, wherein heteroaryl is optionally        substituted with one to three substituents independently        selected from hydroxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, CO₂H, C₁₋₆        alkyloxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl, and C₁₋₆ alkoxy, wherein alkyl and        alkoxy are optionally substituted with one to five fluorines,    -   (CH₂)_(n)-heterocyclyl, wherein heterocyclyl is optionally        substituted with one to three substituents independently        selected from oxo, hydroxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, CO₂H, C₁₋₆        alkyloxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl, and C₁₋₆ alkoxy, wherein alkyl and        alkoxy are optionally substituted with one to five fluorines,    -   (CH₂)_(n)—C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl, wherein cycloalkyl is optionally        substituted with one to three substituents independently        selected from halogen, hydroxy, cyano, nitro, CO₂H, C₁₋₆        alkyloxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl, and C₁₋₆ alkoxy, wherein alkyl and        alkoxy are optionally substituted with one to five fluorines,    -   (CH₂)_(n)—COOH,    -   (CH₂)_(n)—COOC₁₋₆ alkyl,    -   (CH₂)_(n)—NR⁴R⁵,    -   (CH₂)_(n)—CONR⁴R⁵,    -   (CH₂)_(n)—OCONR⁴R⁵,    -   (CH₂)_(n)—SO₂NR⁴R⁵,    -   (CH₂)_(n)—SO₂R⁶,    -   (CH₂)_(n)—NR⁷SO₂R⁶,    -   (CH₂)_(n)—NR⁷CONR⁴R⁵,    -   (CH₂)_(n)—NR⁷COR⁷, and    -   (CH₂)_(n)—NR⁷CO₂R⁶;        wherein any individual methylene (CH₂) carbon atom in (CH₂)_(n)        is optionally substituted with one to two substituents        independently selected from fluorine, hydroxy, C₁₋₄ alkyl, and        C₁₋₄ alkoxy, wherein alkyl and alkoxy are optionally substituted        with one to five fluorines;        R^(a), R^(b), R^(c), and R^(d) are each independently hydrogen        or C₁₋₄ alkyl optionally substituted with one to five fluorines;        R⁴ and R⁵ are each independently selected from the group        consisting of

hydrogen,

(CH₂)_(m)-phenyl,

(CH₂)_(m)—C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl, and

C₁₋₆ alkyl, wherein alkyl is optionally substituted with one to fivesubstituents independently selected from fluorine and hydroxy andwherein phenyl and cycloalkyl are optionally substituted with one tofive substituents independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyl, and C₁₋₆ alkoxy, wherein alkyl and alkoxy are optionallysubstituted with one to five fluorines;

-   or R⁴ and R⁵ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are    attached form a heterocyclic ring selected from azetidine,    pyrrolidine, piperidine, piperazine, and morpholine wherein said    heterocyclic ring is optionally substituted with one to three    substituents independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, C₁₋₆    alkyl, and C₁₋₆ alkoxy, wherein alkyl and alkoxy are optionally    substituted with one to five fluorines;    each R⁶ is independently C₁₋₆ alkyl, wherein alkyl is optionally    substituted with one to five substituents independently selected    from fluorine and hydroxyl; and    R⁷ is hydrogen or R⁶.

In one embodiment of the compounds of the present invention, X is O.

In a second embodiment of the compounds of the present invention, X isCH₂.

In a third embodiment of the compounds of the present invention, each R¹is independently selected from the group consisting of fluorine,chlorine, bromine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, and trifluoromethoxy.

In a fourth embodiment of the compounds of the present invention, R^(a),R^(b), R^(c), and R^(d) are each hydrogen.

In a fifth embodiment of the compounds of the present invention, thereare provided compounds of structural formulae Ia and Ib of the indicatedstereochemical configuration having a trans orientation of the Ar andNH₂ substituents on the two stereogenic carbon atoms marked with an *:

wherein Ar, X and V are as described above.

In a class of this fifth embodiment, there are provided compounds ofstructural formula Ia of the indicated absolute stereochemicalconfiguration having a trans orientation of the Ar and NH₂ substituentson the two stereogenic carbon atoms marked with an *:

In a second class of this fifth embodiment, there are provided compoundsof structural formulae Ic and Id of the indicated stereochemicalconfiguration having a trans orientation of the Ar and NH₂ substituents,a trans orientation of the Ar and V substituents and a cis orientationof the NH₂ and V substituents on the three stereogenic carbon atomsmarked with an *:

In a subclass of this class, there are provided compounds of structuralformula Ic of the indicated absolute stereochemical configuration havinga trans orientation of the Ar and NH₂ substituents, a trans orientationof the Ar and V substituents and a cis orientation of the NH₂ and Vsubstituents on the three stereogenic carbon atoms marked with an *:

In a subclass of this subclass, V is selected from the group consistingof:

wherein each R² is independently as defined above.

In a further subclass of this subclass, V is selected from the groupconsisting of:

wherein each R² is independently as defined above.

In a third class of this fifth embodiment, there are provided compoundsof structural formulae Ie and If of the indicated stereochemicalconfiguration having a trans orientation of the Ar and NH₂ substituents,a cis orientation of the Ar and V substituents and a trans orientationof the NH₂ and V substituents on the three stereogenic carbon atomsmarked with an *:

In a subclass of this class, there are provided compounds of structuralformula Ie of the indicated absolute stereochemical configuration havinga trans orientation of the Ar and NH₂ substituents, a cis orientation ofthe Ar and V substituents and a trans orientation of the NH₂ and Vsubstituents on the three stereogenic carbon atoms marked with an *:

In a subclass of this subclass, V is selected from the group consistingof:

wherein each R² is independently as defined above.

In a further subclass of this subclass, V is selected from the groupconsisting of:

wherein each R² is independently as defined above.

In a sixth embodiment of the compounds of the present invention, each R²is independently selected from the group consisting of

-   -   hydrogen,    -   C₁₋₆ alkyl, wherein alkyl is optionally substituted with one to        five fluorines, and    -   C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl, wherein cycloalkyl is optionally substituted        with one to three substituents independently selected from        halogen, hydroxy, C₁₋₄ alkyl, and C₁₋₄ alkoxy, wherein alkyl and        alkoxy are optionally substituted with one to five fluorines.

In a class of this fourth embodiment of the compounds of the presentinvention, each R² is independently selected from the group consistingof hydrogen, C₁₋₃ alkyl, trifluoromethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, andcyclopropyl.

In yet a further embodiment of the present invention, there are providedcompounds of structural formula Ic:

wherein Ar is as defined above; X is O or CH₂; V is selected from thegroup consisting of:

and each R² is independently selected from the group consisting of:

hydrogen,

C₁₋₆ alkyl, wherein alkyl is optionally substituted with one to fivefluorines, and

C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl, wherein cycloalkyl is optionally substituted with oneto three substituents independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, C₁₋₄alkyl, and C₁₋₄ alkoxy, wherein alkyl and alkoxy are optionallysubstituted with one to five fluorines.

In a class of this embodiment, X is O.

In another class of this embodiment, V is selected from the groupconsisting of:

Nonlimiting examples of compounds of the present invention that areuseful as dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitors are the followingstructures having the indicated absolute stereochemical configurationsat the three stereogenic carbon atoms:

and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

As used herein the following definitions are applicable.

“Alkyl”, as well as other groups having the prefix “alk”, such as alkoxyand alkanoyl, means carbon chains which may be linear or branched, andcombinations thereof, unless the carbon chain is defined otherwise.Examples of alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl,butyl, sec- and tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, and thelike. Where the specified number of carbon atoms permits, e.g., fromC₃₋₁₀, the term alkyl also includes cycloalkyl groups, and combinationsof linear or branched alkyl chains combined with cycloalkyl structures.When no number of carbon atoms is specified, C₁₋₆ is intended.

“Cycloalkyl” is a subset of alkyl and means a saturated carbocyclic ringhaving a specified number of carbon atoms. Examples of cycloalkylinclude cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl,cyclooctyl, and the like. A cycloalkyl group generally is monocyclicunless stated otherwise. Cycloalkyl groups are saturated unlessotherwise defined.

The term “alkoxy” refers to straight or branched chain alkoxides of thenumber of carbon atoms specified (e.g., C₁₋₁₀ alkoxy), or any numberwithin this range [i.e., methoxy (MeO—), ethoxy, isopropoxy, etc.].

The term “alkylthio” refers to straight or branched chain alkylsulfidesof the number of carbon atoms specified (e.g., C₁₋₁₀ alkylthio), or anynumber within this range [i.e., methylthio (MeS—), ethylthio,isopropylthio, etc.].

The term “alkylamino” refers to straight or branched alkylamines of thenumber of carbon atoms specified (e.g., C₁₋₆ alkylamino), or any numberwithin this range [i.e., methylamino, ethylamino, isopropylamino,t-butylamino, etc.].

The term “alkylsulfonyl” refers to straight or branched chainalkylsulfones of the number of carbon atoms specified (e.g., C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl), or any number within this range [i.e., methylsulfonyl(MeSO₂—), ethylsulfonyl, isopropylsulfonyl, etc.].

The term “alkyloxycarbonyl” refers to straight or branched chain estersof a carboxylic acid derivative of the present invention of the numberof carbon atoms specified (e.g., C₁₋₆ alkyloxycarbonyl), or any numberwithin this range [i.e., methyloxycarbonyl (MeOCO—), ethyloxycarbonyl,or butyloxycarbonyl].

“Aryl” means a mono- or polycyclic aromatic ring system containingcarbon ring atoms. The preferred aryls are monocyclic or bicyclic 6-10membered aromatic ring systems. Phenyl and naphthyl are preferred aryls.The most preferred aryl is phenyl.

The term “heterocyclyl” refers to saturated or unsaturated non-aromaticrings or ring systems containing at least one heteroatom selected fromO, S and N, further including the oxidized forms of sulfur, namely SOand SO₂. Examples of heterocycles include tetrahydrofuran (THF),dihydrofuran, 1,4-dioxane, morpholine, 1,4-dithiane, piperazine,piperidine, 1,3-dioxolane, imidazolidine, imidazoline, pyrroline,pyrrolidine, tetrahydropyran, dihydropyran, oxathiolane, dithiolane,1,3-dioxane, 1,3-dithiane, oxathiane, thiomorpholine, pyrrolidinone,oxazolidin-2-one, imidazolidine-2-one, pyridone, and the like.

“Heteroaryl” means an aromatic or partially aromatic heterocycle thatcontains at least one ring heteroatom selected from O, S and N.Heteroaryls also include heteroaryls fused to other kinds of rings, suchas aryls, cycloalkyls and heterocycles that are not aromatic. Examplesof heteroaryl groups include pyrrolyl, isoxazolyl, isothiazolyl,pyrazolyl, pyridinyl, 2-oxo-(1H)-pyridinyl (2-hydroxy-pyridinyl),oxazolyl, 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,3,4-oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, thiazolyl,imidazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, furyl, triazinyl, thienyl,pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzothiazolyl,benzothiadiazolyl, dihydrobenzofuranyl, indolinyl, pyridazinyl,indazolyl, isoindolyl, dihydrobenzothienyl, indolizinyl, cinnolinyl,phthalazinyl, quinazolinyl, naphthyridinyl, carbazolyl, benzodioxolyl,quinoxalinyl, purinyl, furazanyl, isobenzylfuranyl, benzimidazolyl,benzofuranyl, benzothienyl, quinolyl, indolyl, isoquinolyl,dibenzofuranyl, imidazo[1,2-a]pyridinyl,[1,2,4-triazolo][4,3-a]pyridinyl, pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridinyl,[1,2,4-triazolo][1,5-a]pyridinyl, 2-oxo-1,3-benzoxazolyl,4-oxo-3H-quinazolinyl, 3-oxo-[1,2,4]-triazolo[4,3-a]-2H-pyridinyl,5-oxo-[1,2,4]-4H-oxadiazolyl, 2-oxo-[1,3,4]-3H-oxadiazolyl,2-oxo-1,3-dihydro-2H-imidazolyl, 3-oxo-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazolyl,and the like. For heterocyclyl and heteroaryl groups, rings and ringsystems containing from 3-15 atoms are included, forming 1-3 rings.

“Halogen” refers to fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine. Chlorine andfluorine are generally preferred. Fluorine is most preferred when thehalogens are substituted on an alkyl or alkoxy group (e.g. CF₃O andCF₃CH₂O).

The compounds of the present invention contain one or more asymmetriccenters and can thus occur as racemates, racemic mixtures, singleenantiomers, diastereoisomeric mixtures, and individualdiastereoisomers. In particular the compounds of the present inventionhave an asymmetric center at the stereogenic carbon atoms marked withan * in formulae Ia, Ib, Ic, Id, Ie, and If. Additional asymmetriccenters may be present depending upon the nature of the varioussubstituents on the molecule. Each such asymmetric center willindependently produce two optical isomers and it is intended that all ofthe possible optical isomers and diastereoisomers in mixtures and aspure or partially purified compounds are included within the ambit ofthis invention. The present invention is meant to comprehend all suchisomeric forms of these compounds.

Some of the compounds described herein contain olefinic double bonds,and unless specified otherwise, are meant to include both E and Zgeometric isomers.

Some of the compounds described herein may exist as tautomers, whichhave different points of attachment of hydrogen accompanied by one ormore double bond shifts. For example, a ketone and its enol form areketo-enol tautomers. The individual tautomers as well as mixturesthereof are encompassed with compounds of the present invention.

Formula I shows the structure of the class of compounds withoutpreferred stereochemistry. Formulae Ia and Ib show the preferredstereochemistry at the stereogenic carbon atoms to which are attachedthe NH₂ and Ar groups on the tetrahydropyran ring. Formulae Ic and Idshow the preferred stereochemistry at the stereogenic carbon atoms towhich are attached the NH₂, Ar, and V groups on the tetrahydropyranring.

The independent syntheses of these diastereoisomers or theirchromatographic separations may be achieved as known in the art byappropriate modification of the methodology disclosed herein. Theirabsolute stereochemistry may be determined by the X-ray crystallographyof crystalline products or crystalline intermediates which arederivatized, if necessary, with a reagent containing an asymmetriccenter of known absolute configuration.

If desired, racemic mixtures of the compounds may be separated so thatthe individual enantiomers are isolated. The separation can be carriedout by methods well known in the art, such as the coupling of a racemicmixture of compounds to an enantiomerically pure compound to form adiastereoisomeric mixture, followed by separation of the individualdiastereoisomers by standard methods, such as fractional crystallizationor chromatography. The coupling reaction is often the formation of saltsusing an enantiomerically pure acid or base. The diasteromericderivatives may then be converted to the pure enantiomers by cleavage ofthe added chiral residue. The racemic mixture of the compounds can alsobe separated directly by chromatographic methods utilizing chiralstationary phases, which methods are well known in the art.

Alternatively, any enantiomer of a compound may be obtained bystereoselective synthesis using optically pure starting materials orreagents of known configuration by methods well known in the art.

It will be understood that, as used herein, references to the compoundsof structural formula I are meant to also include the pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts, and also salts that are not pharmaceuticallyacceptable when they are used as precursors to the free compounds ortheir pharmaceutically acceptable salts or in other syntheticmanipulations.

The compounds of the present invention may be administered in the formof a pharmaceutically acceptable salt. The term “pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt” refers to salts prepared from pharmaceuticallyacceptable non-toxic bases or acids including inorganic or organic basesand inorganic or organic acids. Salts of basic compounds encompassedwithin the term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” refer to non-toxicsalts of the compounds of this invention which are generally prepared byreacting the free base with a suitable organic or inorganic acid.Representative salts of basic compounds of the present inventioninclude, but are not limited to, the following: acetate,benzenesulfonate, benzoate, bicarbonate, bisulfate, bitartrate, borate,bromide, camsylate, carbonate, chloride, clavulanate, citrate,dihydrochloride, edetate, edisylate, estolate, esylate, fumarate,gluceptate, gluconate, glutamate, glycollylarsanilate, hexylresorcinate,hydrabamine, hydrobromide, hydrochloride, hydroxynaphthoate, iodide,isothionate, lactate, lactobionate, laurate, malate, maleate, mandelate,mesylate, methylbromide, methylnitrate, methylsulfate, mucate,napsylate, nitrate, N-methylglucamine ammonium salt, oleate, oxalate,pamoate (embonate), palmitate, pantothenate, phosphate/diphosphate,polygalacturonate, salicylate, stearate, sulfate, subacetate, succinate,tannate, tartrate, teoclate, tosylate, triethiodide and valerate.Furthermore, where the compounds of the invention carry an acidicmoiety, suitable pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof include, butare not limited to, salts derived from inorganic bases includingaluminum, ammonium, calcium, copper, ferric, ferrous, lithium,magnesium, manganic, mangamous, potassium, sodium, zinc, and the like.Particularly preferred are the ammonium, calcium, magnesium, potassium,and sodium salts. Salts derived from pharmaceutically acceptable organicnon-toxic bases include salts of primary, secondary, and tertiaryamines, cyclic amines, and basic ion-exchange resins, such as arginine,betaine, caffeine, choline, N,N-dibenzylethylenediamine, diethylamine,2-diethylaminoethanol, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, ethanolamine,ethylenediamine, N-ethylmorpholine, N-ethylpiperidine, glucamine,glucosamine, histidine, hydrabamine, isopropylamine, lysine,methylglucamine, morpholine, piperazine, piperidine, polyamine resins,procaine, purines, theobromine, triethylamine, trimethylamine,tripropylamine, tromethamine, and the like.

Also, in the case of a carboxylic acid (—COOH) or alcohol group beingpresent in the compounds of the present invention, pharmaceuticallyacceptable esters of carboxylic acid derivatives, such as methyl, ethyl,or pivaloyloxymethyl, or acyl derivatives of alcohols, such as O-acetyl,O-pivaloyl, O-benzoyl, and O-aminoacyl, can be employed. Included arethose esters and acyl groups known in the art for modifying thesolubility or hydrolysis characteristics for use as sustained-release orprodrug formulations.

Solvates, and in particular, the hydrates of the compounds of structuralformula I are included in the present invention as well.

Exemplifying the invention is the use of the compounds disclosed in theExamples and herein.

The subject compounds are useful in a method of inhibiting thedipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme in a patient such as a mammal in need ofsuch inhibition comprising the administration of an effective amount ofthe compound. The present invention is directed to the use of thecompounds disclosed herein as inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase-IVenzyme activity.

In addition to primates, such as humans, a variety of other mammals canbe treated according to the method of the present invention. Forinstance, mammals including, but not limited to, cows, sheep, goats,horses, dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rats or other bovine, ovine, equine,canine, feline, rodent or murine species can be treated. However, themethod can also be practiced in other species, such as avian species(e.g., chickens).

The present invention is further directed to a method for themanufacture of a medicament for inhibiting dipeptidyl peptidase-IVenzyme activity in humans and animals comprising combining a compound ofthe present invention with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier ordiluent. More particularly, the present invention is directed to the useof a compound of structural formula I in the manufacture of a medicamentfor use in treating a condition selected from the group consisting ofhyperglycemia, Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and a lipid disorder in amammal, wherein the lipid disorder is selected from the group consistingof dyslipidemia, hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia,hypercholesterolemia, low HDL, and high LDL.

The subject treated in the present methods is generally a mammal,preferably a human being, male or female, in whom inhibition ofdipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme activity is desired. The term“therapeutically effective amount” means the amount of the subjectcompound that will elicit the biological or medical response of atissue, system, animal or human that is being sought by the researcher,veterinarian, medical doctor or other clinician.

The term “composition” as used herein is intended to encompass a productcomprising the specified ingredients in the specified amounts, as wellas any product which results, directly or indirectly, from combinationof the specified ingredients in the specified amounts. Such term inrelation to pharmaceutical composition, is intended to encompass aproduct comprising the active ingredient(s), and the inert ingredient(s)that make up the carrier, as well as any product which results, directlyor indirectly, from combination, complexation or aggregation of any twoor more of the ingredients, or from dissociation of one or more of theingredients, or from other types of reactions or interactions of one ormore of the ingredients. Accordingly, the pharmaceutical compositions ofthe present invention encompass any composition made by admixing acompound of the present invention and a pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier. By “pharmaceutically acceptable” it is meant the carrier,diluent or excipient must be compatible with the other ingredients ofthe formulation and not deleterious to the recipient thereof.

The terms “administration of” and or “administering a” compound shouldbe understood to mean providing a compound of the invention or a prodrugof a compound of the invention to the individual in need of treatment.

The utility of the compounds in accordance with the present invention asinhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme activity may bedemonstrated by methodology known in the art. Inhibition constants aredetermined as follows. A continuous fluorometric assay is employed withthe substrate Gly-Pro-AMC, which is cleaved by DPP-4 to release thefluorescent AMC leaving group. The kinetic parameters that describe thisreaction are as follows: K_(m)=50 μM; k_(cat)=75 s⁻¹;k_(cat)/K_(m)=1.5×10⁶ M⁻¹s⁻¹. A typical reaction contains approximately50 pM enzyme, 50 μM Gly-Pro-AMC, and buffer (100 mM HEPES, pH 7.5, 0.1mg/ml BSA) in a total reaction volume of 100 μl. Liberation of AMC ismonitored continuously in a 96-well plate fluorometer using anexcitation wavelength of 360 nm and an emission wavelength of 460 nm.Under these conditions, approximately 0.8 μM AMC is produced in 30minutes at 25 degrees C. The enzyme used in these studies was soluble(transmembrane domain and cytoplasmic extension excluded) human proteinproduced in a baculovirus expression system (Bac-To-Bac, Gibco BRL). Thekinetic constants for hydrolysis of Gly-Pro-AMC and GLP-1 were found tobe in accord with literature values for the native enzyme. To measurethe dissociation constants for compounds, solutions of inhibitor in DMSOwere added to reactions containing enzyme and substrate (final DMSOconcentration is 1%). All experiments were conducted at room temperatureusing the standard reaction conditions described above. To determine thedissociation constants (K_(i)), reaction rates were fit by non-linearregression to the Michaelis-Menton equation for competitive inhibition.The errors in reproducing the dissociation constants are typically lessthan two-fold.

The compounds of structural formula I, particularly the compounds ofExamples 1-63, had activity in inhibiting the dipeptidyl peptidase-IVenzyme in the aforementioned assays, generally with an IC₅₀ of less thanabout 1 μM and more typically less than 0.1 μM. Such a result isindicative of the intrinsic activity of the compounds in use asinhibitors the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme activity.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme (DPP-4) is a cell surface protein thathas been implicated in a wide range of biological functions. It has abroad tissue distribution (intestine, kidney, liver, pancreas, placenta,thymus, spleen, epithelial cells, vascular endothelium, lymphoid andmyeloid cells, serum), and distinct tissue and cell-type expressionlevels. DPP-4 is identical to the T cell activation marker CD26, and itcan cleave a number of immunoregulatory, endocrine, and neurologicalpeptides in vitro. This has suggested a potential role for thispeptidase in a variety of disease processes in humans or other species.

Accordingly, the subject compounds are useful in a method for theprevention or treatment of the following diseases, disorders andconditions.

Type II Diabetes and Related Disorders:It is well established that theincretins GLP-1 and GIP are rapidly inactivated in vivo by DPP-4.Studies with DPP-4^((−/−))-deficient mice and preliminary clinicaltrials indicate that DPP-4 inhibition increases the steady stateconcentrations of GLP-1 and GIP, resulting in improved glucosetolerance. By analogy to GLP-1 and GIP, it is likely that other glucagonfamily peptides involved in glucose regulation are also inactivated byDPP-4 (eg. PACAP). Inactivation of these peptides by DPP-4 may also playa role in glucose homeostasis. The DPP-4 inhibitors of the presentinvention therefore have utility in the treatment of type II diabetesand in the treatment and prevention of the numerous conditions thatoften accompany Type II diabetes, including Syndrome X (also known asMetabolic Syndrome), reactive hypoglycemia, and diabetic dyslipidemia.Obesity, discussed below, is another condition that is often found withType II diabetes that may respond to treatment with the compounds ofthis invention.

The following diseases, disorders and conditions are related to Type 2diabetes, and therefore may be treated, controlled or in some casesprevented, by treatment with the compounds of this invention: (1)hyperglycemia, (2) low glucose tolerance, (3) insulin resistance, (4)obesity, (5) lipid disorders, (6) dyslipidemia, (7) hyperlipidemia, (8)hypertriglyceridemia, (9) hypercholesterolemia, (10) low HDL levels,(11) high LDL levels, (12) atherosclerosis and its sequelae, (13)vascular restenosis, (14) irritable bowel syndrome, (15) inflammatorybowel disease, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, (16)other inflammatory conditions, (17) pancreatitis, (18) abdominalobesity, (19) neurodegenerative disease, (20) retinopathy, (21)nephropathy, (22) neuropathy, (23) Syndrome X, (24) ovarianhyperandrogenism (polycystic ovarian syndrome), and other disorderswhere insulin resistance is a component. In Syndrome X, also known asMetabolic Syndrome, obesity is thought to promote insulin resistance,diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and increased cardiovascular risk.Therefore, DPP-4 inhibitors may also be useful to treat hypertensionassociated with this condition.

Obesity: DPP-4 inhibitors may be useful for the treatment of obesity.This is based on the observed inhibitory effects on food intake andgastric emptying of GLP-1 and GLP-2. Exogenous administration of GLP-1in humans significantly decreases food intake and slows gastric emptying(Am. J. Physiol., 277: R910-R916 (1999)). ICV administration of GLP-1 inrats and mice also has profound effects on food intake (Nature Medicine,2: 1254-1258 (1996)). This inhibition of feeding is not observed inGLP-1R^((−/−)) mice, indicating that these effects are mediated throughbrain GLP-1 receptors. By analogy to GLP-1, it is likely that GLP-2 isalso regulated by DPP-4. ICV administration of GLP-2 also inhibits foodintake, analogous to the effects observed with GLP-1 (Nature Medicine,6: 802-807 (2000)). In addition, studies with DPP-4 deficient micesuggest that these animals are resistant to diet-induced obesity andassociated pathology (e.g. hyperinsulinonemia).Cardiovascular Disease: GLP-1 has been shown to be beneficial whenadministered to patients following acute myocardial infarction, leadingto improved left ventricular function and reduced mortality afterprimary angioplasty (Circulation, 109: 962-965 (2004)). GLP-1administration is also useful for the treatment of left ventricularsystolic dysfunction in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy and ischemicinduced left ventricular dysfunction, and thus may prove useful for thetreatment of patients with heart failure (US2004/0097411). DPP-4inhibitors are expected to show similar effects through their ability tostabilize endogenous GLP-1.Growth Hormone Deficiency: DPP-4 inhibition may be useful for thetreatment of growth hormone deficiency, based on the hypothesis thatgrowth-hormone releasing factor (GRF), a peptide that stimulates releaseof growth hormone from the anterior pituitary, is cleaved by the DPP-4enzyme in vivo (WO 00/56297). The following data provide evidence thatGRF is an endogenous substrate: (1) GRF is efficiently cleaved in vitroto generate the inactive product GRF[3-44] (BBA 1122: 147-153 (1992));(2) GRF is rapidly degraded in plasma to GRF[3-44]; this is prevented bythe DPP-4 inhibitor diprotin A; and (3) GRF[3-44] is found in the plasmaof a human GRF transgenic pig (J. Clin. Invest., 83: 1533-1540 (1989)).Thus DPP-4 inhibitors may be useful for the same spectrum of indicationswhich have been considered for growth hormone secretagogues.Intestinal Injury: The potential for using DPP-4 inhibitors for thetreatment of intestinal injury is suggested by the results of studiesindicating that glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2), a likely endogenoussubstrate for DPP-4, may exhibit trophic effects on the intestinalepithelium (Regulatory Peptides, 90: 27-32 (2000)). Administration ofGLP-2 results in increased small bowel mass in rodents and attenuatesintestinal injury in rodent models of colitis and enteritis.Immunosuppression: DPP-4 inhibition may be useful for modulation of theimmune response, based upon studies implicating the DPP-4 enzyme in Tcell activation and in chemokine processing, and efficacy of DPP-4inhibitors in in vivo models of disease. DPP-4 has been shown to beidentical to CD26, a cell surface marker for activated immune cells. Theexpression of CD26 is regulated by the differentiation and activationstatus of immune cells. It is generally accepted that CD26 functions asa co-stimulatory molecule in in vitro models of T cell activation. Anumber of chemokines contain proline in the penultimate position,presumably to protect them from degradation by non-specificaminopeptidases. Many of these have been shown to be processed in vitroby DPP-4. In several cases (RANTES, LD78-beta, MDC, eotaxin,SDF-1alpha), cleavage results in an altered activity in chemotaxis andsignaling assays. Receptor selectivity also appears to be modified insome cases (RANTES). Multiple N-terminally truncated forms of a numberof chemokines have been identified in in vitro cell culture systems,including the predicted products of DPP-4 hydrolysis.

DPP-4 inhibitors have been shown to be efficacious immunosuppressants inanimal models of transplantation and arthritis. Prodipine(Pro-Pro-diphenyl-phosphonate), an irreversible inhibitor of DPP-4, wasshown to double cardiac allograft survival in rats from day 7 to day 14(Transplantation, 63: 1495-1500 (1997)). DPP-4 inhibitors have beentested in collagen and alkyldiamipe-induced arthritis in rats and showeda statistically significant attenuation of hind paw swelling in thismodel [Int. J. Immunopharmacology, 19:15-24 (1997) andImmunopharmacology, 40: 21-26 (1998)]. DPP-4 is upregulated in a numberof autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, multiplesclerosis, Graves' disease, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (ImmunologyToday, 20: 367-375 (1999)).

HIV Infection: DPP-4 inhibition may be useful for the treatment orprevention of HIV infection or AIDS because a number of chemokines whichinhibit HIV cell entry are potential substrates for DPP-4 (ImmunologyToday 20: 367-375 (1999)). In the case of SDF-1alpha, cleavage decreasesantiviral activity (PNAS, 95: 6331-6 (1998)). Thus, stabilization ofSDF-1alpha through inhibition of DPP-4 would be expected to decrease HIVinfectivity.Hematopoiesis: DPP-4 inhibition may be useful for the treatment orprevention of hematopoiesis because DPP-4 may be involved inhematopoiesis. A DPP-4 inhibitor, Val-Boro-Pro, stimulated hematopoiesisin a mouse model of cyclophosphamide-induced neutropenia (WO 99/56753).Neuronal Disorders: DPP-4 inhibition may be useful for the treatment orprevention of various neuronal or psychiatric disorders because a numberof peptides implicated in a variety of neuronal processes are cleaved invitro by DPP-4. A DPP-4 inhibitor thus may have a therapeutic benefit inthe treatment of neuronal disorders. Endomorphin-2, beta-casomorphin,and substance P have all been shown to be in vitro substrates for DPP-4.In all cases, in vitro cleavage is highly efficient, with k_(cat)/K_(m)about 10⁶ M⁻¹s⁻¹ or greater. In an electric shock jump test model ofanalgesia in rats, a DPP-4 inhibitor showed a significant effect thatwas independent of the presence of exogenous endomorphin-2 (BrainResearch, 815: 278-286 (1999)). Neuroprotective and neuroregenerativeeffects of DPP-4 inhibitors were also evidenced by the inhibitors'ability to protect motor neurons from excitotoxic cell death, to protectstriatal innervation of dopaminergic neurons when administeredconcurrently with MPTP, and to promote recovery of striatal innervationdensity when given in a therapeutic manner following MPTP treatment [seeYong-Q. Wu, et al., “Neuroprotective Effects of Inhibitors of Dipeptidylpeptidase-IV In Vitro and In Vivo,” Int. Conf. On DipeptidylAminopeptidases: Basic Science and Clinical Applications, Sep. 26-29,2002 (Berlin, Germany)].Anxiety: Rats naturally deficient in DPP-4 have an anxiolytic phenotype(WO 02/34243; Karl et al., Physiol. Behav. 2003). DPP-4 deficient micealso have an anxiolytic phenotype using the porsolt and light/darkmodels. Thus DPP-4 inhibitors may prove useful for treating anxiety andrelated disorders.Memory and Cognition: GLP-1 agonists are active in models of learning(passive avoidance, Morris water maze) and neuronal injury(kainate-induced neuronal apoptosis) as demonstrated by During et al.(Nature Med. 9: 1173-1179 (2003)). The results suggest a physiologicalrole for GLP-1 in learning and neuroprotection. Stabilization of GLP-1by DPP-4 inhibitors are expected to show similar effectsMyocardial Infarction: GLP-1 has been shown to be beneficial whenadministered to patients following acute myocardial infarction(Circulation, 109: 962-965 (2004)). DPP-4 inhibitors are expected toshow similar effects through their ability to stabilize endogenousGLP-1.Tumor Invasion and Metastasis: DPP-4 inhibition may be useful for thetreatment or prevention of tumor invasion and metastasis because anincrease or decrease in expression of several ectopeptidases includingDPP-4 has been observed during the transformation of normal cells to amalignant phenotype (J. Exp. Med., 190: 301-305 (1999)). Up- ordown-regulation of these proteins appears to be tissue and cell-typespecific. For example, increased CD26/DPP-4 expression has been observedon T cell lymphoma, T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, cell-derivedthyroid carcinomas, basal cell carcinomas, and breast carcinomas. Thus,DPP-4 inhibitors may have utility in the treatment of such carcinomas.Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy: DPP-4 inhibition may be useful for thetreatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy because increased DPP-4activity was noted in prostate tissue from patients with BPH (Eur. J.Clin. Chem. Clin. Biochem., 30: 333-338 (1992)).Sperm motility/male contraception: DPP-4 inhibition may be useful forthe altering sperm motility and for male contraception because inseminal fluid, prostatosomes, prostate derived organelles important forsperm motility, possess very high levels of DPP-4 activity (Eur. J.Clin. Chem. Clin. Biochem., 30: 333-338 (1992)).Gingivitis: DPP-4 inhibition may be useful for the treatment ofgingivitis because DPP-4 activity was found in gingival crevicular fluidand in some studies correlated with periodontal disease severity (Arch.Oral Biol., 37: 167-173 (1992)).Osteoporosis: DPP-4 inhibition may be useful for the treatment orprevention of osteoporosis because GIP receptors are present inosteoblasts.Stem Cell Transplantation: Inhibition of DPP-4 on donor stem cells hasbeen shown to lead to an enhancement of their bone marrow homingefficiency and engraftment, and an increase in survival in mice(Christopherson, et al., Science, 305:1000-1003 (2004)). Thus DPP-4inhibitors may be useful in bone marrow transplantation.

The compounds of the present invention have utility in treating orpreventing one or more of the following conditions or diseases: (1)hyperglycemia, (2) low glucose tolerance, (3) insulin resistance, (4)obesity, (5) lipid disorders, (6) dyslipidemia, (7) hyperlipidemia, (8)hypertriglyceridemia, (9) hypercholesterolemia, (10) low HDL levels,(11) high LDL levels, (12) atherosclerosis and its sequelae, (13)vascular restenosis, (14) irritable bowel syndrome, (15) inflammatorybowel disease, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, (16)other inflammatory conditions, (17) pancreatitis, (18) abdominalobesity, (19) neurodegenerative disease, (20) retinopathy, (21)nephropathy, (22) neuropathy, (23) Syndrome X, (24) ovarianhyperandrogenism (polycystic ovarian syndrome), (25) Type 2 diabetes,(26) growth hormone deficiency, (27) neutropenia, (28) neuronaldisorders, (29) tumor metastasis, (30) benign prostatic hypertrophy,(32) gingivitis, (33) hypertension, (34) osteoporosis, (35) anxiety,(36) memory deficit, (37) cognition deficit, (38) stroke, (39)Alzheimer's disease, and other conditions that may be treated orprevented by inhibition of DPP-4.

The subject compounds are further useful in a method for the preventionor treatment of the aforementioned diseases, disorders and conditions incombination with other agents.

The compounds of the present invention may be used in combination withone or more other drugs in the treatment, prevention, suppression oramelioration of diseases or conditions for which compounds of Formula Ior the other drugs may have utility, where the combination of the drugstogether are safer or more effective than either drug alone. Such otherdrug(s) may be administered, by a route and in an amount commonly usedtherefor, contemporaneously or sequentially with a compound of FormulaI. When a compound of Formula I is used contemporaneously with one ormore other drugs, a pharmaceutical composition in unit dosage formcontaining such other drugs and the compound of Formula I is preferred.However, the combination therapy may also include therapies in which thecompound of Formula I and one or more other drugs are administered ondifferent overlapping schedules. It is also contemplated that when usedin combination with one or more other active ingredients, the compoundsof the present invention and the other active ingredients may be used inlower doses than when each is used singly. Accordingly, thepharmaceutical compositions of the present invention include those thatcontain one or more other active ingredients, in addition to a compoundof Formula I.

Examples of other active ingredients that may be administered incombination with a compound of Formula I, and either administeredseparately or in the same pharmaceutical composition, include, but arenot limited to:

(a) other dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-4) inhibitors;

(b) insulin sensitizers including (i) PPARγ agonists, such as theglitazones (e.g. troglitazone, pioglitazone, englitazone, MCC-555,rosiglitazone, balaglitazone, and the like) and other PPAR ligands,including PPARα/γ dual agonists, such as muraglitazar, naveglitazar,tesaglitazar, and TAK-559; PPARα agonists, such as fenofibric acidderivatives (gemfibrozil, clofibrate, fenofibrate and bezafibrate); andselective PPARγ modulators (SPPARγM's), such as disclosed in WO02/060388, WO 02/08188, WO 2004/019869, WO 2004/020409, WO 2004/020408,and WO 2004/066963; (ii) biguanides such as metformin and phenformin,and (iii) protein tyrosine phosphatase-1B (PTP-1B) inhibitors;

(c) insulin or insulin mimetics;

(d) sulfonylureas and other insulin secretagogues, such as tolbutamide,glyburide, glipizide, glimepiride, and meglitinides, such as nateglinideand repaglinide;

(e) α-glucosidase inhibitors (such as acarbose and miglitol);

(f) glucagon receptor antagonists, such as those disclosed in WO97/16442; WO 98/04528, WO 98/21957; WO 98/22108; WO 98/22109; WO99/01423, WO 00/39088, and WO 00/69810; WO 2004/050039; and WO2004/069158;

(g) GLP-1, GLP-1 analogues or mimetics, and GLP-1 receptor agonists,such as exendin-4 (exenatide), liraglutide (N,N-2211), CJC-1131,LY-307161, and those disclosed in WO 00/42026 and WO 00/59887;

(h) GIP and GIP mimetics, such as those disclosed in WO 00/58360, andGIP receptor agonists;

(i) PACAP, PACAP mimetics, and PACAP receptor agonists such as thosedisclosed in WO 01/23420;

(j) cholesterol lowering agents such as (i) HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors(lovastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, cerivastatin, fluvastatin,atorvastatin, itavastatin, and rosuvastatin, and other statins), (ii)sequestrants (cholestyramine, colestipol, and dialkylaminoalkylderivatives of a cross-linked dextran), (iii) nicotinyl alcohol,nicotinic acid or a salt thereof, (iv) PPARα agonists such as fenofibricacid derivatives (gemfibrozil, clofibrate, fenofibrate and bezafibrate),(v) PPARα/γ dual agonists, such as naveglitazar and muraglitazar, (vi)inhibitors of cholesterol absorption, such as beta-sitosterol andezetimibe, (vii) acyl CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase inhibitors, suchas avasimibe, and (viii) antioxidants, such as probucol;

(k) PPARδ agonists, such as those disclosed in WO 97/28149;

(l) antiobesity compounds, such as fenfluramine, dexfenfluramine,phentermine, sibutramine, orlistat, neuropeptide Y₁ or Y₅ antagonists,CB1 receptor inverse agonists and antagonists, β₃ adrenergic receptoragonists, melanocortin-receptor agonists, in particular melanocortin-4receptor agonists, ghrelin antagonists, bombesin receptor agonists (suchas bombesin receptor subtype-3 agonists), cholecystokinin 1 (CCK-1)receptor agonists, and melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) receptorantagonists;

(m) ileal bile acid transporter inhibitors;

(n) agents intended for use in inflammatory conditions such as aspirin,non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), glucocorticoids,azulfidine, and selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors;

(o) antihypertensive agents, such as ACE inhibitors (enalapril,lisinopril, captopril, quinapril, tandolapril), A-II receptor blockers(losartan, candesartan, irbesartan, valsartan, telmisartan, andeprosartan), beta blockers and calcium channel blockers;

(p) glucokinase activators (GKAs), such as those disclosed in WO03/015774; WO 04/076420; and WO 04/081001;

(q) inhibitors of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1, such as thosedisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,730,690; WO 03/104207; and WO 04/058741;

(r) inhibitors of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), such astorcetrapib; and

(s) inhibitors of fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase, such as those disclosedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,054,587; 6,110,903; 6,284,748; 6,399,782; and6,489,476.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitors that can be combined with compoundsof structural formula I include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,699,871; WO 02/076450 (3 Oct. 2002); WO 03/004498 (16 Jan. 2003); WO03/004496 (16 Jan. 2003); EP 1 258 476 (20 Nov. 2002); WO 02/083128 (24Oct. 2002); WO 02/062764 (15 Aug. 2002); WO 03/000250 (3 Jan. 2003); WO03/002530 (9 Jan. 2003); WO 03/002531 (9 Jan. 2003); WO 03/002553 (9Jan. 2003); WO 03/002593 (9 Jan. 2003); WO 03/000180 (3 Jan. 2003); WO03/082817 (9 Oct. 2003); WO 03/000181 (3 Jan. 2003); WO 04/007468 (22Jan. 2004); WO 04/032836 (24 Apr. 2004); WO 04/037169 (6 May 2004); andWO 04/043940 (27 May 2004). Specific DPP-4 inhibitor compounds includeisoleucine thiazolidide (P32/98); NVP-DPP-728; vildagliptin (LAF 237);P93/01; and saxagliptin (BMS 477118).

Antiobesity compounds that can be combined with compounds of structuralformula I include fenfluramine, dexfenfluramine, phentermine,sibutramine, orlistat, neuropeptide Y₁ or Y₅ antagonists, cannabinoidCB1 receptor antagonists or inverse agonists, melanocortin receptoragonists, in particular, melanocortin-4 receptor agonists, ghrelinantagonists, bombesin receptor agonists, and melanin-concentratinghormone (MCH) receptor antagonists. For a review of anti-obesitycompounds that can be combined with compounds of structural formula I,see S. Chaki et al., “Recent advances in feeding suppressing agents:potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of obesity,” ExpertOpin. Ther. Patents, 11: 1677-1692 (2001); D. Spanswick and K. Lee,“Emerging antiobesity drugs,” Expert Opin. Emerging Drugs, 8: 217-237(2003); and J. A. Fernandez-Lopez, et al., “Pharmacological Approachesfor the Treatment of Obesity,” Drugs, 62: 915-944 (2002).

Neuropeptide Y5 antagonists that can be combined with compounds ofstructural formula I include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,335,345(1 Jan. 2002) and WO 01/14376 (1 Mar. 2001); and specific compoundsidentified as GW 59884A; GW 569180A; LY366377; and CGP-71683A.

Cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonists that can be combined with compoundsof formula I include those disclosed in PCT Publication WO 03/007887;U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,941, such as rimonabant; PCT Publication WO02/076949, such as SLV-319; U.S. Pat. No. 6,028,084; PCT Publication WO98/41519; PCT Publication WO 00/10968; PCT Publication WO 99/02499; U.S.Pat. No. 5,532,237; U.S. Pat. No. 5,292,736; PCT Publication WO05/000809; PCT Publication WO 03/086288; PCT Publication WO 03/087037;PCT Publication WO 04/048317; PCT Publication WO 03/007887; PCTPublication WO 03/063781; PCT Publication WO 03/075660; PCT PublicationWO 03/077847; PCT Publication WO 03/082190; PCT Publication WO03/082191; PCT Publication WO 03/087037; PCT Publication WO 03/086288;PCT Publication WO 04/012671; PCT Publication WO 04/029204; PCTPublication WO 04/040040; PCT Publication WO 01/64632; PCT PublicationWO 01/64633; and PCT Publication WO 01/64634.

Melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) agonists useful in the present inventioninclude, but are not limited to, those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,294,534, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,350,760, 6,376,509, 6,410,548, 6,458,790,U.S. Pat. No. 6,472,398, U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,521, U.S. Pat. No.6,699,873, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety;in US Patent Application Publication Nos. US 2002/0004512,US2002/0019523, US2002/0137664, US2003/0236262, US2003/0225060,US2003/0092732, US2003/109556, US 2002/0177151, US 2002/187932, US2003/0113263, which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety; and in WO 99/64002, WO 00/74679, WO 02/15909, WO 01/70708, WO01/70337, WO 01/91752, WO 02/068387, WO 02/068388, WO 02/067869, WO03/007949, WO 2004/024720, WO 2004/089307, WO 2004/078716, WO2004/078717, WO 2004/037797, WO 01/58891, WO 02/070511, WO 02/079146, WO03/009847, WO 03/057671, WO 03/068738, WO 03/092690, WO 02/059095, WO02/059107, WO 02/059108, WO 02/059117, WO 02/085925, WO 03/004480, WO03/009850, WO 03/013571, WO 03/031410, WO 03/053927, WO 03/061660, WO03/066597, WO 03/094918, WO 03/099818, WO 04/037797, WO 04/048345, WO02/018327, WO 02/080896, WO 02/081443, WO 03/066587, WO 03/066597, WO03/099818, WO 02/062766, WO 03/000663, WO 03/000666, WO 03/003977, WO03/040107, WO 03/040117, WO 03/040118, WO 03/013509, WO 03/057671, WO02/079753, WO 02//092566, WO 03/-093234, WO 03/095474, and WO 03/104761.

The potential utility of safe and effective activators of glucokinase(GKAs) for the treatment of diabetes is discussed in J. Grimsby et al.,“Allosteric Activators of Glucokinase: Potential Role in DiabetesTherapy,” Science, 301: 370-373 (2003).

When a compound of the present invention is used contemporaneously withone or more other drugs, a pharmaceutical composition containing suchother drugs in addition to the compound of the present invention ispreferred. Accordingly, the pharmaceutical compositions of the presentinvention include those that also contain one or more other activeingredients, in addition to a compound of the present invention.

The weight ratio of the compound of the present invention to the secondactive ingredient may be varied and will depend upon the effective doseof each ingredient. Generally, an effective dose of each will be used.Thus, for example, when a compound of the present invention is combinedwith another agent, the weight ratio of the compound of the presentinvention to the other agent will generally range from about 1000:1 toabout 1:1000, preferably about 200:1 to about 1:200. Combinations of acompound of the present invention and other active ingredients willgenerally also be within the aforementioned range, but in each case, aneffective dose of each active ingredient should be used.

In such combinations the compound of the present invention and otheractive agents may be administered separately or in conjunction. Inaddition, the administration of one element may be prior to, concurrentto, or subsequent to the administration of other agent(s).

The compounds of the present invention may be administered by oral,parenteral (e.g., intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intravenous, ICV,intracisternal injection or infusion, subcutaneous injection, orimplant), by inhalation spray, nasal, vaginal, rectal, sublingual, ortopical routes of administration and may be formulated, alone ortogether, in suitable dosage unit formulations containing conventionalnon-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, adjuvants and vehiclesappropriate for each route of administration. In addition to thetreatment of warm-blooded animals such as mice, rats, horses, cattle,sheep, dogs, cats, monkeys, etc., the compounds of the invention areeffective for use in humans.

The pharmaceutical compositions for the administration of the compoundsof this invention may conveniently be presented in dosage unit form andmay be prepared by any of the methods well known in the art of pharmacy.All methods include the step of bringing the active ingredient intoassociation with the carrier which constitutes one or more accessoryingredients. In general, the pharmaceutical compositions are prepared byuniformly and intimately bringing the active ingredient into associationwith a liquid carrier or a finely divided solid carrier or both, andthen, if necessary, shaping the product into the desired formulation. Inthe pharmaceutical composition the active object compound is included inan amount sufficient to produce the desired effect upon the process orcondition of diseases. As used herein, the term “composition” isintended to encompass a product comprising the specified ingredients inthe specified amounts, as well as any product which results, directly orindirectly, from combination of the specified ingredients in thespecified amounts.

The pharmaceutical compositions containing the active ingredient may bein a form suitable for oral use, for example, as tablets, troches,lozenges, aqueous or oily suspensions, dispersible powders or granules,emulsions, hard or soft capsules, or syrups or elixirs. Compositionsintended for oral use may be prepared according to any method known tothe art for the manufacture of pharmaceutical compositions and suchcompositions may contain one or more agents selected from the groupconsisting of sweetening agents, flavoring agents, coloring agents andpreserving agents in order to provide pharmaceutically elegant andpalatable preparations. Tablets contain the active ingredient inadmixture with non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable excipients whichare suitable for the manufacture of tablets. These excipients may be forexample, inert diluents, such as calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate,lactose, calcium phosphate or sodium phosphate; granulating anddisintegrating agents, for example, corn starch, or alginic acid;binding agents, for example starch, gelatin or acacia, and lubricatingagents, for example magnesium stearate, stearic acid or talc. Thetablets may be uncoated or they may be coated by known techniques todelay disintegration and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract andthereby provide a sustained action over a longer period. For example, atime delay material such as glyceryl monostearate or glyceryl distearatemay be employed. They may also be coated by the techniques described inthe U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,256,108; 4,166,452; and 4,265,874 to form osmotictherapeutic tablets for control release.

Formulations for oral use may also be presented as hard gelatin capsuleswherein the active ingredient is mixed with an inert solid diluent, forexample, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate or kaolin, or as softgelatin capsules wherein the active ingredient is mixed with water or anoil medium, for example peanut oil, liquid paraffin, or olive oil.

Aqueous suspensions contain the active materials in admixture withexcipients suitable for the manufacture of aqueous suspensions. Suchexcipients are suspending agents, for example sodiumcarboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxy-propylmethylcellulose,sodium alginate, polyvinyl-pyrrolidone, gum tragacanth and gum acacia;dispersing or wetting agents may be a naturally-occurring phosphatide,for example lecithin, or condensation products of an alkylene oxide withfatty acids, for example polyoxyethylene stearate, or condensationproducts of ethylene oxide with long chain aliphatic alcohols, forexample heptadecaethyleneoxycetanol, or condensation products ofethylene oxide with partial esters derived from fatty acids and ahexitol such as polyoxyethylene sorbitol monooleate, or condensationproducts of ethylene oxide with partial esters derived from fatty acidsand hexitol anhydrides, for example polyethylene sorbitan monooleate.The aqueous suspensions may also contain one or more preservatives, forexample ethyl or n-propyl p-hydroxybenzoate, one or more coloringagents, one or more flavoring agents, and one or more sweetening agents,such as sucrose or saccharin.

Oily suspensions may be formulated by suspending the active ingredientin a vegetable oil, for example arachis oil, olive oil, sesame oil orcoconut oil, or in a mineral oil such as liquid paraffin. The oilysuspensions may contain a thickening agent, for example beeswax, hardparaffin or cetyl alcohol. Sweetening agents such as those set forthabove, and flavoring agents may be added to provide a palatable oralpreparation. These compositions may be preserved by the addition of ananti-oxidant such as ascorbic acid.

Dispersible powders and granules suitable for preparation of an aqueoussuspension by the addition of water provide the active ingredient inadmixture with a dispersing or wetting agent, suspending agent and oneor more preservatives. Suitable dispersing or wetting agents andsuspending agents are exemplified by those already mentioned above.Additional excipients, for example sweetening, flavoring and coloringagents, may also be present.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may also be in the formof oil-in-water emulsions. The oily phase may be a vegetable oil, forexample olive oil or arachis oil, or a mineral oil, for example liquidparaffin or mixtures of these. Suitable emulsifying agents may benaturally-occurring gums, for example gum acacia or gum tragacanth,naturally-occurring phosphatides, for example soy bean, lecithin, andesters or partial esters derived from fatty acids and hexitolanhydrides, for example sorbitan monooleate, and condensation productsof the said partial esters with ethylene oxide, for examplepolyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate. The emulsions may also containsweetening and flavoring agents.

Syrups and elixirs may be formulated with sweetening agents, for exampleglycerol, propylene glycol, sorbitol or sucrose. Such formulations mayalso contain a demulcent, a preservative and flavoring and coloringagents.

The pharmaceutical compositions may be in the form of a sterileinjectable aqueous or oleagenous suspension. This suspension may beformulated according to the known art using those suitable dispersing orwetting agents and suspending agents which have been mentioned above.The sterile injectable preparation may also be a sterile injectablesolution or suspension in a non-toxic parenterally-acceptable diluent orsolvent, for example as a solution in 1,3-butanediol. Among theacceptable vehicles and solvents that may be employed are water,Ringer's solution and isotonic sodium chloride solution. In addition,sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solvent orsuspending medium. For this purpose any bland fixed oil may be employedincluding synthetic mono- or diglycerides. In addition, fatty acids suchas oleic acid find use in the preparation of injectables.

The compounds of the present invention may also be administered in theform of suppositories for rectal administration of the drug. Thesecompositions can be prepared by mixing the drug with a suitablenon-irritating excipient which is solid at ordinary temperatures butliquid at the rectal temperature and will therefore melt in the rectumto release the drug. Such materials are cocoa butter and polyethyleneglycols.

For topical use, creams, ointments, jellies, solutions or suspensions,etc., containing the compounds of the present invention are employed.(For purposes of this application, topical application shall includemouthwashes and gargles.)

The pharmaceutical composition and method of the present invention mayfurther comprise other therapeutically active compounds as noted hereinwhich are usually applied in the treatment of the above mentionedpathological conditions.

In the treatment or prevention of conditions which require inhibition ofdipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme activity an appropriate dosage level willgenerally be about 0.01 to 500 mg per kg patient body weight per daywhich can be administered in single or multiple doses. Preferably, thedosage level will be about 0.1 to about 250 mg/kg per day; morepreferably about 0.5 to about 100 mg/kg per day. A suitable dosage levelmay be about 0.01 to 250 mg/kg per day, about 0.05 to 100 mg/kg per day,or about 0.1 to 50 mg/kg per day. Within this range the dosage may be0.05 to 0.5, 0.5 to 5 or 5 to 50 mg/kg per day. For oral administration,the compositions are preferably provided in the form of tabletscontaining 1.0 to 1000 mg of the active ingredient, particularly 1.0,5.0, 10.0, 15.0, 20.0, 25.0, 50.0, 75.0, 100.0, 150.0, 200.0, 250.0,300.0, 400.0, 500.0, 600.0, 750.0, 800.0, 900.0, and 1000.0 mg of theactive ingredient for the symptomatic adjustment of the dosage to thepatient to be treated. The compounds may be administered on a regimen of1 to 4 times per day, preferably once or twice per day.

When treating or preventing diabetes mellitus and/or hyperglycemia orhypertriglyceridemia or other diseases for which compounds of thepresent invention are indicated, generally satisfactory results areobtained when the compounds of the present invention are administered ata daily dosage of from about 0.1 mg to about 100 mg per kilogram ofanimal body weight, preferably given as a single daily dose or individed doses two to six times a day, or in sustained release form. Formost large mammals, the total daily dosage is from about 1.0 mg to about1000 mg, preferably from about 1 mg to about 50 mg. In the case of a 70kg adult human, the total daily dose will generally be from about 7 mgto about 350 mg. This dosage regimen may be adjusted to provide theoptimal therapeutic response.

It will be understood, however, that the specific dose level andfrequency of dosage for any particular patient may be varied and willdepend upon a variety of factors including the activity of the specificcompound employed, the metabolic stability and length of action of thatcompound, the age, body weight, general health, sex, diet, mode and timeof administration, rate of excretion, drug combination, the severity ofthe particular condition, and the host undergoing therapy.

Synthetic methods for preparing the compounds of the present inventionare illustrated in the following Schemes and Examples. Startingmaterials are commercially available or may be made according toprocedures known in the art or as illustrated herein.

Intermediates of formula II, in particular, intermediates of formula IIa(X═CH₂) are known in the literature or can be conveniently prepared by avariety of methods familiar to those skilled in the art. One commonroute is illustrated in Scheme 1. Bromo or iodo substituted benzene 1 istreated with magnesium to form the corresponding Grignard reagent orlithiated with reagents such as n-butyllithium and then treated withcyclohexanone 2 to form the tertiary alcohol 3. Alcohol 3 is dehydrated,for example, by treatment with phosphorus oxychloride, to providestyrene 4. Reduction by treatment with hydrogen in the presence of acatalyst such as palladium on carbon yields the protected 4-arylsubstituted cyclohexanone ketal 5. Deprotection under acidic conditionsgives the cyclohexanone 6, which is then converted to a silyl enolether, such as triisopropylsilyl enol ether 7 using reagents and methodsfamiliar to those skilled in the art. The enol ether 7 upon treatmentwith iodosobenzene and trimethylsilyl azide forms the azido cyclohexene8, which upon reduction to the amine with lithium aluminum hydride orother reducing agents known in the literature yields the amine 9, as amixture of cis and trans isomers. Protection of the resulting amine, forexample, as its BOC derivative by treatment with di-tert-butyldicarbonate, gives 10. Treatment of 10 with a source of fluoride anionremoves the silyl protecting group and gives Intermediate IIa.

An alternative method to prepare intermediate of formula, in particular,intermediates of formula IIb (X═CH₂) II is shown in Scheme 2. Thecommercially available ketone 2 is treated with dimethyl carbonate toform the keto ester 11, which is then transformed to the enol triflate12 upon treatment with trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride. Treatment of12 with aryl boronic acid 13 gives the aryl cyclohexene 14. Reduction of14 is readily achieved with reagents such Mg in methanol to provideester 15 as a mixture of cis and trans isomers. Conversion to thethermodynamically more stable trans isomer 16 is effected by treatmentwith a base such as sodium methoxide in solvent such as methanol.Hydrolysis of the ester with a base such as lithium hydroxide to formthe acid 17 followed by Curtius rearrangement gives the amine 18, as itsbenzyl carbamate derivative. Deprotection of the ketal by treatment withacid such as p-toluenesulfonic acid in dioxane provides IntermediateIIb.

Intermediates of formula IIc (X═O) are known in the literature or may beconveniently prepared by a variety of methods familiar to those skilledin the art. One common route is illustrated in Scheme 3. Substitutedbenzoyl halide 19 is treated with phenol in the presence of a base suchas N,N-diisopropylethylamine to form the ester 20. Treatment of 20 withthe anion generated from nitromethane using sodium hydride gives thenitroketone 21. Alternatively, the nitroketone 21 can be made byreacting aldehyde 22 with nitromethane in the presence of a base andoxidizing the resulting nitroalcohol 23 with an oxidizing agent such asJones reagent. Heating the nitroketone 21 with3-iodo-2-(iodomethyl)prop-1-ene gives the pyran 24, which, when reducedwith sodium borohydride and isomerized with a base such as1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU), provides the trans pyran 25.The enantiomers of 25 may be separated at this stage by a variety ofmethods known to those skilled in the art. Conveniently, the racematemay be resolved by HPLC using a chiral column. The nitro-substitutedpyran 25 is then reduced, for example, using zinc and an acid, such ashydrochloric acid, and the resulting amine 26 protected, for example, asits BOC derivative, by treatment with di-tert-butyl dicarbonate to give27. Treatment of 27 with osmium tetroxide and N-methylmorpholine N-oxideforms the diol 28 which upon treatment with sodium periodate givesintermediate pyranone IIc.

As illustrated in Scheme 4, intermediates of the formula IIIa-c areknown in the literature or can be conveniently prepared by a variety ofmethods familiar to those skilled in the art. Heating of 29, which isknown in the literature or can be prepared, containing a suitableprotecting group such as Boc, with substituted amines, with the generalstructure of 30, gives tricyclic compounds 31a-c. The protecting groupis then removed with, for example, methanolic hydrogen chloride to giveIntermediates IIIa-c.

Intermediate IIId can be prepared as described in Scheme 5. Heating of32, which is known in the literature or can be readily prepared, withsubstituted amines, with a compound of structure 30, gives tricycliccompound 31d. The protecting group is then removed with, for example,methanolic hydrogen chloride to give Intermediates IIId.

As illustrated in Scheme 6, intermediates of the formula IIIe are knownin the literature or can be conveniently prepared by a variety ofmethods familiar to those skilled in the art. Heating of 32, which isknown in the literature or can be readily prepared using known methods,with hydrazine, in a suitable solvent such as ethanol providesamino-pyrazole 33. Treatment of 33 with compounds of structure 34, inthe presence of an acid, such as acetic acid, or a base, such as sodiumethoxide, provides tricycle 35. The protecting group is then removedwith, for example, methanolic hydrogen chloride to give IntermediatesIIIe.

Intermediate IIIf can be prepared as described in Scheme 7. Reaction ofamino-pyrazole 33 with hydroxylamine-O-sulfonic acid in the presence ofa suitable base such as potassium hydroxide affords diamine 36.Treatment of 36 with compounds of structure 37, under neutralconditions, or a base, such as potassium hydroxide, provides tricycle38. The protecting group is then removed with, for example,trifluoroacetic acid to give Intermediates IIIf.

As illustrated in Scheme 8, the compounds of the present inventionstructural formula (I) may be prepared by reductive amination ofIntermediate II in the presence of Intermediate III using reagents suchas sodium cyanoborohydride, decaborane, or sodium triacetoxyborohydridein solvents such as dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, or methanol toprovide Intermediate IV. The reaction is conducted optionally in thepresence of a Lewis acid such as titanium tetrachloride or titaniumtetraisopropoxide. The reaction may also be facilitated by adding anacid, such as acetic acid. In some cases, Intermediate III may be asalt, such as a hydrochloric acid or trifluoroacetic acid salt, and inthese cases it is convenient to add a base, generallyN,N-diisopropylethylamine, to the reaction mixture. The protecting groupis then removed with, for example, trifluoroacetic acid or methanolichydrogen chloride in the case of Boc, or palladium-on-carbon andhydrogen gas in the case of Cbz to give the desired amine I. The productis purified, if necessary, by recrystallization, trituration,preparative thin layer chromatography, flash chromatography on silicagel, such as with a Biotage® apparatus, or HPLC. Compounds that arepurified by HPLC may be isolated as the corresponding salt.

In some cases the compounds of structural formula I or syntheticintermediates illustrated in the above schemes may be further modified,for example, by manipulation of substituents on Ar or V. Thesemanipulations may include, but are not limited to, reduction, oxidation,alkylation, acylation, and hydrolysis reactions that are commonly knownto those skilled in the art.

In some cases the order of carrying out the foregoing reaction schemesmay be varied to facilitate the reaction or to avoid unwanted reactionproducts. The following examples are provided so that the inventionmight be more fully understood. These examples are illustrative only andshould not be construed as limiting the invention in any way.

INTERMEDIATE I

tert-Butyl [(1S,2R)-5-oxo-2-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)cyclohexyl]carbamateStep A: 8-(2,4,5-Trifluorophenyl)-1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]decan-8-ol

A three neck flask (2 L) under an atmosphere of nitrogen with Mgturnings (9.8 g) was stirred for 15 min and tetrahydrofuran (90 mL) wasadded and stirring continued for an additional 15 min.1-Bromo-2,4,5-trifluorobenzene (85 g) was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran(340 mL). A portion of this solution (75 mL) was added to the stirredmagnesium turnings and then heated to 50° C. The rest of the solutionwas added and stirring continued at the same temperature for anadditional 1 h. The reaction mixture was cooled to 40° C., a solution of1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]decan-8-one (57.3 g) in tetrahydrofuran (275 mL) wasadded, and stirring continued for 10 h. The reaction mixture was pouredinto saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution (970 mL) and extractedwith toluene (700 mL). The organic layer was washed with water (3×700mL), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated toyield the title compound as a red-orange oil which was used in the nextstep without further purification.

Step B: 8-(2,4,5-Trifluorophenyl)-1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene

To a round-bottomed flask (3 L) under nitrogen atmosphere equipped witha Dean-Stark trap, toluene (350 mL), para-toluenesulphonic acidmonohydrate (p-TSA) (1 g) and8-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)-1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]decan-8-ol (94.2 g) wereadded and the mixture was refluxed overnight. Additional p-TSA (1 g) wasadded. Refluxing was continued overnight and then the reaction wasstirred at room temperature for two more days. The reaction mixture wastreated with 0.1N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (500 mL) andextracted with heptanes (500 mL). The organic layer was washed withwater (3×500 mL), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, filtered andevaporated to yield crude product which was purified by columnchromatography (silica gel, gradient 2% to 40% ethyl acetate inheptanes) to yield the title compound.

Step C: 8-(2,4,5-Trifluorophenyl)-1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane

A solution of 8-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)-1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene inmethanol (240 mL) and ethyl acetate (5 mL) was treated with 10%palladium on carbon (7.0 g) and stirred under an atmosphere of hydrogengas (40 psi) overnight. The reaction mixture was filtered over Celite.The filtrate was concentrated and chromatographed (silica gel, gradient5-7% ethyl acetate in hexane) to yield the title compound.

Step D: 4-(2,4,5-Trifluorophenyl)cyclohexanone

8-(2,4,5-Trifluorophenyl)-1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane was added to asolution of 1,4-dioxane (600 mL), water (160 mL) and concentratedsulfuric acid (160 mL) and the resultant mixture was stirred for one h.The solution was then mixed with water (1 L) and extracted withdichloromethane (1 L). The organic layer was washed with water, driedover anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated to yield thetitle compound as a white solid.

Step E:Triisopropyl{[4-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)cyclohex-1-en-1-yl]oxy}silane

A three-neck flask (1 L) containing a stirred solution of4-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)cyclohexanone (15.8 g) in dichloromethane (160mL) under a nitrogen atmosphere was cooled to 0° C. and then treatedwith triethylamine (22 mL) followed by triisopropylsilyltrifluoromethanesulfonate (25.4 g) while maintaining the temperaturebelow 5° C. The solution was stirred at 0° for 30 min and then allowedto rise to ambient temperature over a period of 0.5 h. It was thentreated with saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution. The organiclayer was separated, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate andevaporated. The crude product was chromatographed (silica gel, 3% etherin hexane) to yield the title compound.

Step F:{[3-Azido-4-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)cyclohex-1-en-1-yl]oxy}(triisopropyl)silane

In a three-neck flask, a stirred solution oftriisopropyl{[4-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)cyclohex-1-en-1-yl]oxy}silane(26.06 g, 0.068 mol) in dichloromethane (260 mL) was cooled to −15° C.and treated with iodosobenzene (19.5 g, 0.089 mol) in four portionsfollowed by azidotrimethylsilane (24 mL, 0.116 mol) while maintainingthe temperature below −10° C. Stirring was continued for 1.5 h. Thereaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature briefly, thencooled again back to −15° C. and filtered. The filtrate was evaporatedunder vacuum below 25° C. to give the title compound which was useddirectly in the next step.

Step G: trans6-(2,4,5-Trifluorophenyl)-3-[(triisopropylsilyl)oxy]cyclohex-2-en-1-amine

To a stirred solution of{[3-azido-4-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)cyclohex-1-en-1-yl]oxy}(triisopropyl)silane(48.2 g) in ether (280 mL) at 0° C. in a three-neck flask (1 L) wasadded lithium aluminum hydride (1M in ether, 85 mL) while maintainingthe temperature below 5° C. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm upto room temperature after completion of addition of the hydride. Themixture was transferred to ice with some saturated aqueous ammoniumchloride solution and filtered. The residue was washed with ethylacetate (1 L), and the organic layer separated, dried over anhydroussodium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated. The residue waschromatographed (silica gel, gradient 10-35% ethyl acetate in heptane)to yield the faster eluting cis- and the slower-eluting trans6-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)-3-[(triisopropylsilyl)oxy]cyclohex-2-en-1-amine.

Step H: transtert-Butyl(6-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)-3-[(triisopropylsilyl)oxy]cyclohex-2-en-1-yl)carbamate

To a round bottomed flask (500 mL) containingtrans-6-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)-3-[(triisopropylsilyl)oxy]cyclohex-2-en-1-amine(8.77 g) dissolved in dichloromethane (80 mL), triethylamine (3.5 mL)and di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (1.0 M in tetrahydrofuran, 25 mL) wereadded. The mixture was stirred overnight. The next day the solution wasevaporated and the concentrated red residue was chromatographed (silicagel, gradient 25-85% dichloromethane-hexane) to yield the desiredproduct.

Step I: tert-Butyl[(1S,2R)-5-oxo-2-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)cyclohexyl]carbamate

To a round-bottomed flask (500 mL) containing transtert-butyl(6-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)-3-[(triisopropylsilyl)oxy]cyclohex-2-en-1-yl)carbamate(10.7 g) dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (100 mL), tetrabutylammoniumfluoride (1M in tetrahydrofuran, 26 mL) was added and the mixture wasstirred for 1 h. The solution was concentrated to a dark brown oil andpurified by chromatography (silica gel, gradient 20%-40% ethyl acetatein hexane) to yield the product as a mixture of enantiomers. HPLC usinga chiral AD column (12% isopropanol in heptane) gave the title compoundas the slower eluting isomer. LC/MS 227.1 (M+1).

INTERMEDIATE 2

Benzyl [(1S,2R)-5-oxo-2-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)cyclohexyl]carbamate StepA: Methyl 8-oxo-1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane-7-carboxylate

To a stirred solution of 1,4-cyclohexanedione monoethylene ketal (1.00g, 6.4 mmol) in dimethyl carbonate (6 mL) at room temperature was addedsodium hydride (0.31 g, 7.7 mmol). The mixture was heated at 80° C. for20 min and then diluted with dry toluene (20 mL). The mixture wasstirred for an additional 3 h at 80° C., cooled to room temperature,quenched with water, and then extracted with dichloromethane. Theorganic phase was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated toyield the crude product which was purified by Biotage® chromatography(silica gel, ethyl acetate in hexanes gradient 30-42%) to yield thetitle compound.

Step B:7-(Methoxycarbonyl)-8-{[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]oxy}-4-oxa-1-oxoniaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene

To a stirred solution of methyl8-oxo-1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane-7-carboxylate (2.14 g, 10 mmol) indichloromethane (22 mL) at −78° C. was added N,N-diisopropylethylamine(8.5 mL, 48.8 mmol). After 10 min, trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride(2.0 mL, 12 mmol) was added dropwise. The resulting mixture was stirredovernight while the temperature was allowed to warm up to roomtemperature. The mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate and washed with10% aqueous citric acid solution. The organic phase was dried overanhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated to yield the title compound.

Step C: Methyl8-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)-1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene-7-carboxylate

To a stirred solution of7-(methoxycarbonyl)-8-{[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]oxy}-4-oxa-1-oxoniaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene(5.65 g, 16.0 mmol) dissolved in N,N-dimethylformamide (190 mL) wereadded aqueous sodium carbonate solution (2.0M, 20 mL, 39.0 mmol) and2,4,5-trifluorophenylboronic acid (4.11 g, 23.4 mmol). The resultingmixture was degassed and treated with PdCl₂(dppf)([1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)-ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II), complexwith dichloromethane (1:1), 1274 mg). The resulting mixture was stirredunder a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature overnight, filtered overCelite, diluted with ethyl acetate and washed with water. The organicphase was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, evaporated and the crudeproduct was purified by chromatography on a Biotage® system (silica gel,ethyl acetate in hexanes gradient 30-50%) to yield the title compound.

Step D: Methyl8-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)-1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane-7-carboxylate

To a stirred solution of methyl8-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)-1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene-7-carboxylate(1.93 g, 5.9 mmol) in methanol (50 mL) was added magnesium (1.43 g, 59mmol), and the mixture was refluxed overnight under nitrogen atmosphere.The white precipitate that formed was filtered over Celite, and thefiltrate was evaporated under reduced pressure to yield the titlecompound.

Step E: trans Methyl8-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)-1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane-7-carboxylate

To a stirred solution of8-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)-1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane-7-carboxylate (1.95g, 5.9 mmol) in methanol (50 mL) was added sodium methoxide (0.5M inmethanol, 14.2 ml, 7.1 mmol), and the resulting solution was refluxedovernight under a nitrogen atmosphere, cooled to room temperature andevaporated to yield the crude product which was purified bychromatography on a Biotage® system (silica gel, ethyl acetate inhexanes gradient 25-54%) to yield the title compound containing some cisisomer.

Step F: trans8-(2,4,5-Trifluorophenyl)-1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane-7-carboxylic acid

A stirred solution of trans8-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)-1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane-7-carboxylate fromStep E (1.82 g, 5.5 mmol) dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (11 mL) andmethanol (22 mL) was treated with aqueous lithium hydroxide solution(1.0M, 18.5 mL) and the mixture was stirred at room temperatureovernight. The reaction solution was acidified with hydrochloric acid(1N) to pH 1 and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase waswashed by saturated brine solution, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfateand evaporated to yield the title compound.

Step G: Benzyl[8-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)-1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]dec-7-yl]carbamate

A stirred solution of trans8-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)-1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane-7-carboxylic acid(500 mg, 1.29 mmol) in toluene (20 mL) was treated withdiphenylphosphoryl azide (0.33 mL, 1.55 mmol), triethylamine (0.22 mL,1.55 mmol) and anhydrous benzyl alcohol (0.33 mL, 3.2 mmol) at roomtemperature under a nitrogen atmosphere. After heating at 90° C. for 2days, the reaction mixture was evaporated under reduced pressure and theresidue was diluted with ethyl acetate and washed with saturated aqueoussodium bicarbonate solution. The organic phase was dried over anhydroussodium sulfate and evaporated to yield the crude product which waspurified by chromatography on a Biotage® system (silica gel, ethylacetate in hexanes gradient 25-40%) to yield the title compound.

Step H: Benzyl[(7S,8R)-8-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)-1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]dec-7-yl]carbamate

Benzyl [8-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)-1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]dec-7-yl]carbamate(528 mg) was resolved by HPLC using a chiral AD column (13% isopropanolin heptane) to give benzyl[(7S,8R)-8-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)-1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]dec-7-yl]carbamateas the slower eluting enantiomer.

Step I: Benzyl[(1S,2R)-5-oxo-2-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)cyclohexyl]carbamate

To a stirred solution of benzyl[(7S,8R)-8-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)-1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]dec-7-yl]carbamate(315 mg, 0.75 mmol) in sulfuric acid (15 mL, 1:1 in water) was added1,4-dioxane (30 mL). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1h. The resulting mixture was poured into water (70 ml) and extractedwith dichloromethane. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous sodiumsulfate and evaporated to yield the title compound. LC/MS 378.0 (M+1).

INTERMEDIATE 3

tert-Butyl [(1S,2R)-5-oxo-2-(2,5-difluorophenyl)cyclohexyl]carbamate

The title compound was prepared from 1-bromo-2,5-difluorobenzenegenerally following the procedures outlined for the synthesis ofIntermediate 1. LC/MS 209.1 (M+1).

INTERMEDIATE 4

tert-Butyl[(2R,3S)-5-oxo-2-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-yl]carbamateStep A: Phenyl 2,4,5-trifluorobenzoate

A solution of phenol (13.3 g, 141 mmol) in dry dichloromethane (370 mL)was cooled in ice bath and treated with N,N-diisopropylethylamine (34mL, 193 mmol) followed by dropwise addition of 2,4,5-trifluorobenzoylchloride (25 g, 129 mmol) over a period of 15 minutes. The ice bath wasremoved, stirring was continued for two hours at room temperature andthe solution was then transferred to a separatory funnel and the organiclayer was washed successively with hydrochloric acid solution (2N, 150mL), saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution (150 mL), and brine(150 mL), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, filtered, evaporated andthe resulting solid product was purified on silica in portions byeluting successively with hexane, and then 0-5% ether in hexane in agradient fashion to yield phenyl 2,4,5-trifluorobenzoate as white solid.

Step B: 2-Nitro-1-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)ethanone

Sodium hydride (12 g, 60% in oil, 297 mmol) was rinsed with hexane(4×100 mL), flushed with anhydrous nitrogen, suspended inN,N-dimethylformamide (350 mL) and then treated with nitromethane (44mL, 81 mmol). The resultant mixture was stirred at room temperature for2.5 hours, cooled to 0° C. and then treated with a solution of phenyl2,4,5-trifluorobenzoate (22.8 g, 90.0 mmol) in N,N-dimethylformamide(180 mL) over a period of two hours. The reaction mixture was kept atthe same temperature overnight and stirring continued for an additionalhour at room temperature. The mixture was poured into ice (400 g) withconc. hydrochloric acid (48 mL). The aqueous mixture was extracted withethyl acetate (3×250 mL). The combined organic layers were washed withbrine (40 mL), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, filtered, andevaporated under reduced pressure. The crude product was dissolved inether-hexane (1:1, 240 mL) and water (200 mL). The organic layer wasseparated, and the crystals which formed upon standing and cooling inthe freezer were recovered by filtration and dried to yield2-nitro-1-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)ethanone as an off-white solid.

Step C:3-Methylene-5-nitro-6-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran

A mixture of 3-chloro-2-(chloromethyl)prop-1-ene (1.0 g, 8 mmol) andsodium iodide (6.6 g, 44 mmol) in acetone (60 mL) was stirred at roomtemperature for 20 hours, evaporated under reduced pressure anddissolved in dichloromethane (150 mL) and water (50 mL). The organiclayer was dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated to yield3-iodo-2-(iodomethyl)prop-1-ene as a reddish oil (2.45 g).N,N-diisopropylethylamine (0.20 mL) was added to a solution of2-nitro-1-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)ethanone (110 mg, 0.5 mmol) inN,N-dimethylformamide (3 mL) and 3-iodo-2-(iodomethyl)prop-1-ene (170mg, 0.55 mmol) and the mixture was heated at 60° C. for 2.5 hours,evaporated and purified by chromatography on a Biotage Horizon® system(silica, gradient 0-30% dichloromethane in hexane) to yield3-methylene-5-nitro-6-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran.

Step D:(2R,3S)-5-Methylene-3-nitro-2-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran

To a solution of3-methylene-5-nitro-6-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran (798mg, 2.94 mmol) in chloroform (42 mL) and isopropyl alcohol (7.8 mL) wasadded silica gel (5.1 g), and sodium borohydride (420 mg, 11.1 mmol),and the reaction mixture stirred for 30 minutes at room temperature. Thereaction mixture was then quenched by dropwise addition of hydrochloricacid (6 mL, 2N) and filtered. The resulting solid residue was washedwith ethyl acetate (100 mL). The combined filtrate was washedsuccessively with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution andbrine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and evaporated. Theresultant amber oil (802 mg) was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (15 mL)and 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU, 40 μL) was added. Thesolution was stirred for 105 minutes and then transferred to aseparatory funnel containing ethyl acetate (100 mL) and 1N hydrochloricacid (50 mL). The organic layer was washed with brine and the aqueouslayer extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic layer was driedover anhydrous sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated to yield a crudeproduct which was purified by flash chromatography (silica, 8-10% etherin hexane) to yieldtrans-5-methylene-3-nitro-2-(2,4,5trifluorophenyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran. Aportion of this product (388 mg) was resolved by HPLC (ChiralCel OD,1.5% isopropyl alcohol in heptane) to yield the slower-movingenantiomer,(2R,3S)-5-methylene-3-nitro-2-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran.

Step E:(2R,3S)-5-Methylene-2-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-amine

To a vigorously stirred suspension of(2R,3S)-5-methylene-3-nitro-2-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran(200 mg, 0.73 mmol) and zinc powder (561 mg, 8.59 mmol) in ethanol (7mL) was added 6N hydrochloric acid (2.3 mL, 14 mmol). After one hour,the mixture was treated with ether (100 mL) and aqueous sodium hydroxidesolution (2.5N, 40 mL). The organic layer was washed with saturatedbrine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated to yield(2R,3S)-5-methylene-2-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-aminewhich was used in the next step without further purification.

Step F: tert-Butyl[(2R,3S)-5-methylene-2-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-yl]carbamate

To a solution of(2R,3S)-5-methylene-2-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-amine(177 mg, 0.73 mmole) in dichloromethane (5 mL) was added di-tert-butyldicarbonate (239 mg, 1.1 mmol) and the mixture stirred for 2.5 hours atroom temperature. The solution was evaporated under reduced pressure togive tert-butyl[(2R,3S)-5-methylene-2-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-yl]carbamateas a white solid. It was used in the next step without furtherpurification.

Step G: tert-Butyl[(2R,3S)-5-hydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-yl]carbamate

To a solution of tert-butyl[(2R,3S)-5-methylene-2-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-yl]carbamate(203 mg, 0.59 mmol) in tert-butyl alcohol (6 mL), acetone (3 mL) andwater (1.5 mL) was added osmium tetroxide (0.113 mL of 2.5% solution intert-butyl alcohol, 0.009 mmol). The resultant mixture was stirred atroom temperature for 10 minutes and then treated with N-methylmorpholineN-oxide (92 mg, 0.79 mmol) and stirred for two days. After two days, thereaction mixture was treated with aqueous sodium bisulfite solution (5mL, 2.0N) followed after 10 min by ethyl acetate. The organic layer waswashed successively with 2N hydrochloric acid and saturated aqueoussodium bicarbonate solution, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate,filtered and evaporated to yield tert-butyl[(2R,3S)-5-hydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-yl]carbamatewhich was used in the next step without further purification.

Step H: tert-Butyl[(2R,3S)-5-oxo-2-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-yl]carbamate

To a solution of tert-butyl[(2R,3S)-5-hydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-yl]carbamate(223 mg, 0.59 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (4 mL) was added a solution ofsodium periodate (143 mg, 0.67 mmol) in water (1.3 mL) and the mixturestirred for 3 hours. The mixture was concentrated and purified by flashchromatography (silica, gradient 5-20% ethyl acetate in chloroform) toyield tert-butyl[(2R,3S)-5-oxo-2-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-yl]carbamateas white solid.

INTERMEDIATE 5

tert-Butyl[(2R,3S)-5-oxo-2-(2,5-difluorophenyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-yl]carbamateStep A: 1-(2,5-Difluorophenyl)-2-nitroethanol

To sodium hydroxide (1N, 3 L) and methanol (1500 mL) at 5° C. was addeda solution of 2,5-difluorobenzaldehyde (350 g, 2.46 mol) andnitromethane (157 mL, 2.9 mol) in methanol (350 mL) dropwise over aperiod of 1 h. The reaction mixture was then neutralized with glacialacetic acid (165 mL). Aqueous workup gave the desired nitroalcohol.

Step B: 2-Nitro-1-(2,5-difluorophenyl)ethanone

A solution of Dess-Martin periodinane (125 g) in dichloromethane (600mL) was added to a solution of the nitroalcohol made in Step A (46.3 g)at 10° C. over a period of 30 min. Stirring was continued for 2 h, andthe reaction mixture was then poured onto a mixture of sodiumbicarbonate (300 g) and sodium thiosulfate (333 g) in water (3 L). Thedesired product was extracted with methyl t-butyl ether (MTBE) (2 L).The aqueous layer was neutralized with HCl (2N, 1.5 L) and extractedwith MTBE (3 L). The combined organic layers were dried over anhydrousmagnesium sulfate, filtered, evaporated and the residue was purified bychromatography (silica gel, eluting with dichloromethane) to yield thedesired nitroketone.

Step C: 3-Iodo-2-(iodomethyl)prop-1-ene

A mixture of 3-chloro-2-(chloromethyl)prop-1-ene (1.0 g, 8 mmol) andsodium iodide (6.6 g, 44 mmol) in acetone (60 mL) was stirred at roomtemperature for 20 h, evaporated under reduced pressure and partitionedbetween dichloromethane (150 mL) and water (50 mL). The organic layerwas dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated to yield3-iodo-2-(iodomethyl)prop-1-ene as a reddish oil.

Step D: 3-Methylene-5-nitro-6-(2,5-difluorophenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran

N,N-diisopropylethylamine (184 mL) was added to a solution of2-nitro-1-(2,5-difluorophenyl)ethanone (92.7 g, 461 mmol) inN,N-dimethylformamide (1000 mL) and 3-iodo-2-(iodomethyl)prop-1-ene (156g, 507 mmol). The mixture was heated at 60° C. for 2 h, evaporated andpurified by chromatography (silica gel, gradient 0-30% dichloromethanein hexane) to yield3-methylene-5-nitro-6-(2,5-difluorophenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran.

Step E:(2R,3S)-5-Methylene-3-nitro-2-(2,5-difluorophenyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran

This compound was made by following the same method described inIntermediate 4, Step D.

Step F:(2R,3S)-5-Methylene-2-(2,5-difluorophenyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-amine

This compound was made by following the same method described inIntermediate 4, Step E.

Step G: tert-Butyl[(2R,3S)-5-methylene-2-(2,5-difluorophenyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-yl]carbamate

This compound was made by following the same method described inIntermediate 4, Step F.

Step H: tert-Butyl[(2R,3S)-5-hydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-(2,5-difluorophenyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-yl]carbamate

This compound was made by following the same method described inIntermediate 4, Step G.

Step I: tert-Butyl[(2R,3S)-5-oxo-2-(2,5-difluorophenyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-yl]carbamate

To a solution of tert-butyl[(2R,3S)-5-hydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-(2,5-trifluorophenyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-yl]carbamate(10.5 g) in methanol (100 mL) at 0° C. was added pyridine (7.8 mL) andlead tetraacetate (21.7 g). The reaction mixture was stirred for 20 min.Aqueous work-up with ethyl acetate gave crude product which was purifiedby chromatography (silica, 0-50% ethyl acetate/heptane) to yieldtert-butyl[(2R,3S)-5-oxo-2-(2,5-difluorophenyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-yl]carbamateas white solid.

INTERMEDIATE 6

2-Methyl-7,8-dihydro-6H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrrolo[3,4-e]pyrimidine Step A:2-Methyl-7-trityl-7,8-dihydro-6H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrrolo[3,4-e]pyrimidine

To a solution of 383 mg (1 mmol) of(4E)-4-[(dimethylamino)methylene]-1-tritylpyrrolidin-3-one in anhydrousethanol (3 mL) was added 116 mg (1.2 mmol) of3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-5-amine and the reaction mixture refluxed for 48 h.The mixture was cooled to ambient temperature and the solvent evaporatedin vacuo to afford a 10:1 mixture of the title compound and tert-butyl2-methyl-5H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrrolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-6(7H)-carboxylate.The resulting regioisomers were chromatographed on a Biotage Horizon®system (silica gel, 2 to 3% methanol/methylene chloride gradient) toyield the title compound and its regioisomer as tan solids. LC/MS 417.1(M+1).

Step B: 2-Methyl-7,8-dihydro-6H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrrolo[3,4-e]pyrimidine

To 93 mg (0.22 mmol) of the title compound from Step A was added 4 mL ofa 1:1 solution of trifluoroacetic acid/methylene chloride. The reactionmixture was stirred for 3 h, the solvent evaporated in vacuo and theresidue desalted (1 g/12 mL Strata-X-C column, eluting with 1 M ammoniain methanol) to afford Intermediate 6 as a tan solid. LC/MS 175.1 (M+1).

INTERMEDIATE 7

2-Methyl-6,7-dihydro-5H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrrolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-8-amineStep A: tert-Butyl8-amino-2-methyl-5H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrrolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-6(7H)-carboxylate

To a stirred solution of 250 mg (1.19 mmol) of tert-butyl3-cyano-4-oxopyrrolidine-1 carboxylate in ethanol (5 mL) was added 115mg (1.19 mmol) of 3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-5-amine. The reaction mixture wasrefluxed for 1 h, cooled to ambient temperature and the solventevaporated in vacuo. The resulting residue was chromatographed on aBiotage Horizon® system (silica gel, 0 to 100% ethyl acetate/hexanesgradient) to yield the title compound as a white solid. LC/MS 290.1(M+1).

Step B:2-Methyl-6,7-dihydro-5H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrrolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-8-amine

The product from Step A was treated with 2 mL (4 mmol) of a 1:1 mixtureof methanol/hydrochloric acid (4.0M in dioxane). The reaction mixturewas stirred for 1 h and the solvent evaporated in vacuo. The residue waspurified by preparative thin layer chromatography using an Analtech®1500 micron plate (50% methanol/ethyl acetate) to yield Intermediate 7as a yellow solid. LC/MS 190.1 (M+1).

INTERMEDIATE 8

2-Methyl-8,9-dihydro-7-H-pyrrolo[3′,4′:3,4]pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidineStep A: tert-Butyl3-amino-2,6-dihydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazole-5(4H)-carboxylate

To a stirred solution of 1 g (4.76 mmol) of tert-butyl3-cyano-4-oxopyrrolidine-1 carboxylate in ethanol (28 mL) was added0.326 g (4.76 mmol) of hydrazine hydrochloride and the reaction mixtureheated at ° C. for 3 h. The mixture was cooled to 0° C. and saturatedaqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate (60 mL) added. The solvent wasevaporated in vacuo and the aqueous phase extracted with ethyl acetate(10×10 mL). The combined organic fractions were dried (anhydrous sodiumsulfate), filtered and the solvent evaporated in vacuo. The resultingresidue was chromatographed on a Biotage Horizon® system (silica gel, 0to 10% methanol/ethyl acetate gradient) to yield the title compound as aorange solid. LC/MS 225.2 (M+1).

Step B: tert-Butyl2-methyl-7H-pyrrolo[3′,4′:3,4]pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-8(9H)-carboxylate

To a stirred solution of 448 mg (2 mmol) of the product from Step A and80 □L (1 mmol) of NaOEt (21 wt % in ethanol), in 10 mL of anhydrousethanol, was added 297 □L (2.4 mmol) of 4,4-dimethoxy-2-butanone. Thereaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 10 min, thenrefluxed for 16 h. The mixture was cooled to ambient temperature and thesolvent evaporated in vacuo to afford the title compound as an 8:1mixture with tert-butyl4-methyl-7H-pyrrolo[3′,4′:3,4]pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-8(9H)-carboxylateand was used without purification. LC/MS 275.2 (M+1).

Step C:2-Methyl-8,9-dihydro-7-H-pyrrolo[3′,4′:3,4]pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine

The resulting crude product from Step B was treated with 20 mL (80 mmol)of HCl (4.0M in dioxane) and the reaction mixture was stirred for 0.5 hand the solvent evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flashchromatography on a Biotage Horizon® system (silica gel, 3 to 10%methanol (0.1% ammonium hydroxide)/methylene chloride gradient) to yieldIntermediate 8 as a tan solid. LC/MS 175.1 (M+1).

INTERMEDIATE 9

4-Methyl-8,9-dihydro-7-H-pyrrolo[3′,4′:3,4]pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidineStep A: tert-Butyl4-methyl-7H-pyrrolo[3′,4′:3,4]pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-8(9H)-carboxylate

To a stirred solution of 0.30 mL (2.4 mmol) of 4,4-dimethoxy-2-butanonein 2 mL of glacial acetic acid at 95° C. was added 448 mg (2.0 mmol) oftert-butyl 3-amino-2,6-dihydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazole-5(4H)-carboxylateas a solution in 8 mL of glacial acetic acid over 40 min. The reactionmixture was stirred for an additional 1.5 h, cooled to ambienttemperature and the solvent evaporated in vacuo to afford the titlecompound as a 5:3 mixture with tert-butyl2-methyl-7H-pyrrolo[3′,4′:3,4]pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-8(9H)-carboxylateand was used in Step B without purification. LC/MS 275.2 (M+1).

Step B:4-Methyl-8,9-dihydro-7-H-pyrrolo[3′,4′:3,4]pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine

The resulting crude product from Step A was treated with 20 mL (80 mmol)of HCl (4.0M in dioxane), stirred for 0.5 h, and the solvent evaporatedin vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography on a BiotageHorizon® system (silica gel, 3 to 10% methanol (0.1% ammoniumhydroxide)/methylene chloride gradient) to Intermediate 8 andIntermediate 9 as tan solids. LC/MS 175.1 (M+1).

INTERMEDIATE 10

8,9-Dihydro-7H-pyrrolo[3′,4′:3,4]pyrazolo[1,5-b][1,2,4]triazine Step A:tert-Butyl7H-pyrrolo[3′,4′:3,4]pyrazolo[1,5-b][1,2,4]triazine-8(9H)-carboxylate

To a stirred solution of 0.2 g (0.89 mmol) of tert-butyl3-amino-2,6-dihydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazole-5(4H)-carboxylate inN,N-dimethylformamide (4 mL) at −10° C. was added 0.37 g (5.6 mmol) ofpowdered potassium hydroxide. The reaction mixture was stirred between0° C. and −10° C. for 20 min. To this mixture was added 0.2 g (1.78mmol) of hydroxylamine-O-sulfonic acid in eight portions over 20 minwhile maintaining the temperature between 0° C. and −10° C. Stirring wascontinued for 45 min while keeping the temperature below 5° C. Ethanol(4 mL) was added slowly to maintain the temperature below 5° C. and 0.2mL (1.78 mmol) of 40% glyoxal in water was added. The reaction mixturewas stirred below 5° C. for 15 min, warmed to ambient temperature over15 min and stirred at ambient temperature for 45 min. The reactionmixture was cooled to below 5° C. and a 1:1 mixture of half saturatedaqueous ammonium chloride/brine (15 mL) was added. The reaction mixturewas extracted with ethyl acetate (4×15 mL), and the combined organicphases washed with saturated aqueous brine (15 mL), dried over anhydrousmagnesium sulfate, filtered and the solvent evaporated in vacuo. Theresidue was purified by flash chromatography on a Biotage Horizon®system (silica gel, 0 to 40% hexanes/ethyl acetate gradient) to yieldthe title compound as a yellow solid. LC/MS 262.2 (M+1).

Step B: 8,9-Dihydro-7H-pyrrolo[3′,4′:3,4]pyrazolo[1,5-b][1,2,4]-triazine

To 77 mg (0.29 mmol) of the product from Step A in dichloromethane (1mL) was added trifluoroacetic acid (1 mL) and the reaction mixturestirred for 1 h. The solvent was evaporated in vacuo and the residuepurified by flash chromatography on a Biotage Horizon® system (silicagel, 0 to 20% ethyl acetate/methanol containing 10% NH₄OH gradient) toyield the title compound as a yellow solid. LC/MS 162.2 (M+1).

Example 1

(1S,2R,5S)-5-(2-Methyl-6,8-dihydro-7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrrolo[3,4-e]pyrimidin-7-yl)-2-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)cyclohexanaminebis-hydrochloride salt Step A: tert-Butyl[(1S,2R,5S)-5-(2-methyl-6,8-dihydro-7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrrolo[3,4-e]pyrimidin-7-yl)-2-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)cyclohexyl]carbamate

To a solution of 43 mg (0.125 mmol) of Intermediate 1 and 17.8 mg (0.104mmol) of Intermediate 6 in 4 mL of methanol was added 0.04 mL (0.13mmol) of titanium(IV) isopropoxide. The reaction mixture was stirred for30 min and 5.7 mg (0.047 mmol) of decaborane was added. The reactionmixture was stirred for 20 h and the solvent evaporated in vacuo toprovide a 2:1 mixture of the title compound and the diastereoisomertert-butyl[(1S,2R,5R)-5-(2-methyl-6,8-dihydro-7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrrolo[3,4-e]pyrimidin-7-yl)-2-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)cyclohexyl]carbamate.The diastereoisomers were purified by preparative thin layerchromatography using an Analtech® 1500 micron plate(dichloromethane/methanol/ammonium hydroxide 95:4.5:0.5) to give thetitle compound as a white solid. LC/MS 502.1 (M+1).

Step B:(1S,2R,5S)-5-(2-Methyl-6,8-dihydro-7H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrrolo[3,4-e]pyrimidin-7-yl)-2-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)cyclohexanaminebis-hydrochloride salt

To the more polar product from Step A was added 1 mL of hydrochloricacid (4.0 M in 1,4-dioxane) and the solution was stirred for 30 min andthe solvent evaporated in vacuo to afford the title compound as a whitesolid. LC/MS 402.1 (M+1).

Example 2

(2R,3S,5R)-2-(2,5-Difluorophenyl)-5-(2-methyl-7H-pyrrolo[3′,4′:3,4]pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-8(9H-yl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-aminebis-trifluoroacetic acid salt Step A: tert-Butyl[(2R,3S,5R)-2-(2,5-difluorophenyl)-5-(2-methyl-7H-pyrrolo[3′,4′:3,4]pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-8(9H-yl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-yl]carbamate

To a solution of 12 mg (0.037 mmol) of Intermediate 5 in 3 mL ofmethanol was added 16 mg (0.073 mmol) of Intermediate 8. The reactionmixture was stirred for 30 min and 2 mg (0.016 mmol) of decaborane wasadded. The reaction mixture was stirred for 48 h, the solvent evaporatedin vacuo to afford a 4:1 mixture of the title compound and thediastereoisomer tert-butyl[(2R,3S,5S)-2-(2,5-difluorophenyl)-5-(2-methyl-7H-pyrrolo[3′,4′:3,4]pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-8(9H-yl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-yl]carbamate.The diastereoisomers were purified by preparative thin layerchromatography using an Analtech® 1500 micron plate(dichloromethane/methanol/ammonium hydroxide 95:4.5:0.5) to give thetitle compound as a white solid. LC/MS 486.3 (M+1).

Step B:(2R,3S,5R)-2-(2,5-Difluorophenyl)-5-(2-methyl-7H-pyrrolo[3′,4′:3,4]pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-8(9H-yl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-aminebis-trifluoroacetic acid salt

To the more polar product from Step A was added 1 mL of hydrochloricacid (4.0 M in 1,4-dioxane), the solution was stirred for 30 min and thesolvent evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified by reverse phaseHPLC (YMC Pro-C18 column, gradient elution, 0% to 65% acetonitrile/waterwith 0.1% TFA) to afford the title compound as an amorphous solid. LC/MS386.3 (M+1).

Example 3

(2R,3S,5R)-2-(2,5-Difluorophenyl)-5-(7H-pyrrolo[3′,4′:3,4]pyrazolo[1,5-b][1,2,4]triazin-8(9H-yl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-aminebis-trifluoroacetic acid salt Step A: tert-Butyl[(2R,3S,5R)-2-(2,5-difluorophenyl)-5-(7H-pyrrolo[3′,4′:3,4]pyrazolo[1,5-b][1,2,4]-triazin-8(9H-yl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-yl]carbamate

To a solution of 30 mg (0.093 mmol) of Intermediate 5 in 3 mL ofmethanol was added 15 mg (0.093 mmol) of Intermediate 10 followed by0.034 mL (0.116 mmol) of titanium(IV) isopropoxide. The reaction mixturewas stirred for 30 min and 5 mg (0.04 mmol) of decaborane was added. Thereaction mixture was stirred for 24 h, the solvent evaporated in vacuoto afford a 4:1 mixture of the title compound and the diastereoisomertert-butyl[(2R,3S,5S)-2-(2,5-difluorophenyl)-5-(2-methyl-7H-pyrrolo[3′,4′:3,4]pyrazolo[1,5-b][1,2,4]triazin-8(9H-yl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-yl]carbamate.The diastereoisomers were purified by preparative thin layerchromatography using an Analtech® 1500 micron plate(dichloromethane/methanol/ammonium hydroxide 95:4.5:0.5) to give thetitle compound as a white solid. LC/MS 473.2 (M+1).

Step B:(2R,3S,5R)-2-(2,5-Difluorophenyl)-5-(7H-pyrrolo[3′,4′:3,4]pyrazolo[1,5-b][1,2,4]triazin-8(9H-yl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-aminebis-trifluoroacetic acid salt

To the more polar product from Step A was added 1 mL of hydrochloricacid (4.0 M in 1,4-dioxane). The solution was stirred for 30 min and thesolvent evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified by reverse phaseHPLC (YMC Pro-C18 column, gradient elution, 0% to 65% acetonitrile/waterwith 0.1% TFA) to afford the title compound as an amorphous solid. ¹HNMR (CD₃OD, 500 MHz): δ 8.59 (s, 1H), 8.50 (s, 1H), 7.34-7.32 (m, 1H),7.25-7.23 (m, 2H), 5.02-4.95 (m, 4H), 4.77 (d, J=10.3 Hz, 1H), 4.61 (bd,J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 4.13-4.08 (m, 1H), 3.90 (dd, J=11.0, 11.0 Hz, 1H), 3.70(ddd, J=10.1, 7.7, 2.3 Hz, 1H), 2.93 (bd, J=11.2 Hz, 1H), 2.54 (ddd,J=22.2, 11.1, 11.1 Hz, 1H) ppm. LC/MS 373.2 (M+1).

The following Examples in Tables 1 and 2 were made by essentiallyfollowing the same procedures described for Examples 1-3.

TABLE 1

Exam- MS ple Z X V (M + 1) 4 F CH₂

402.1 5 F CH₂

403.0 6 F CH₂

403.0 7 F CH₂

429.1 8 F CH₂

429.1 9 F CH₂

404.1 10 F CH₂

404.2 11 F CH₂

417.2 12 H CH₂

384.1 13 H CH₂

384.1 14 F O

404.1 15 F O

404.1 16 F CH₂

388.0 17 H CH₂

370.0 18 F O

390.0 19 H O

372.4 20 F O

391.2 21 H O

373.0 22 F CH₂

402.2 23 F O

404.2 24 F O

420.1 25 F CH₂

402.2 26 F O

404.2 27 H O

386.3 28 H O

402.1 29 F CH₂

456.1 30 F O

458.0 31 H O

440.1 32 F CH₂

456.1 33 F O

458.0 34 H O

440.1 35 F CH₂

428.3 36 F O

430.3 37 H O

412.4 38 F CH₂

428.3 39 F O

430.3 40 H O

412.4 41 F CH₂

470.0 42 H O

388.2 43 F O

406.2 44 F O

406.2 45 F O

419.9 46 F O

419.8 47 F O

474.1 48 F O

474.1

TABLE 2

Exam- ple Z X V MS 49 F CH₂

402.1 50 F CH₂

403.0 51 F O

404.1 52 F CH₂

429.1 53 F CH₂

404.2 54 F O

404.2 55 H O

386.3 56 F O

391.2 57 H O

388.2 58 F O

406.2 59 F O

406.2 60 F O

419.9 61 F O

419.8 62 F O

474.1 63 F O

474.1

Example of a Pharmaceutical Formulation

As a specific embodiment of an oral pharmaceutical composition, a 100 mgpotency tablet is composed of 100 mg of any one of Examples, 268 mgmicrocrystalline cellulose, 20 mg of croscarmellose sodium, and 4 mg ofmagnesium stearate. The active, microcrystalline cellulose, andcroscarmellose are blended first. The mixture is then lubricated bymagnesium stearate and pressed into tablets.

While the invention has been described and illustrated with reference tocertain particular embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art willappreciate that various adaptations, changes, modifications,substitutions, deletions, or additions of procedures and protocols maybe made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.For example, effective dosages other than the particular dosages as setforth herein above may be applicable as a consequence of variations inresponsiveness of the mammal being treated for any of the indicationswith the compounds of the invention indicated above. The specificpharmacological responses observed may vary according to and dependingupon the particular active compounds selected or whether there arepresent pharmaceutical carriers, as well as the type of formulation andmode of administration employed, and such expected variations ordifferences in the results are contemplated in accordance with theobjects and practices of the present invention. It is intended,therefore, that the invention be defined by the scope of the claimswhich follow and that such claims be interpreted as broadly as isreasonable.

1. A compound of structural formula I:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein each n isindependently 0, 1, 2 or 3; each m is independently 0, 1, or 2; X is Oor CH₂; V is selected from the group consisting of:

Ar is phenyl optionally substituted with one to five R¹ substituents;each R¹ is independently selected from the group consisting of halogen,cyano, hydroxy, C₁₋₆ alkyl, optionally substituted with one to fivefluorines, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, optionally substituted with one to fivefluorines; each R² is independently selected from the group consistingof hydrogen, hydroxy, halogen, cyano, C₁₋₁₀ alkoxy, wherein alkoxy isoptionally substituted with one to five substituents independentlyselected from fluorine and hydroxy, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, wherein alkyl isoptionally substituted with one to five substituents independentlyselected from fluorine and hydroxy, C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl, wherein alkenyl isoptionally substituted with one to five substituents independentlyselected from fluorine and hydroxy, (CH₂)_(n)-aryl, wherein aryl isoptionally substituted with one to five substituents independentlyselected hydroxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, CO₂H, C₁₋₆ alkyloxycarbonyl,C₁₋₆ alkyl, and C₁₋₆ alkoxy, wherein alkyl and alkoxy are optionallysubstituted with one to five fluorines, (CH₂)_(n)-heteroaryl, whereinheteroaryl is optionally substituted with one to three substituentsindependently selected from hydroxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, CO₂H, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl, and C₁₋₆ alkoxy, wherein alkyl and alkoxyare optionally substituted with one to five fluorines,(CH₂)_(n)-heterocyclyl, wherein heterocyclyl is optionally substitutedwith one to three substituents independently selected from oxo, hydroxy,halogen, cyano, nitro, CO₂H, C₁₋₆ alkyloxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl, and C₁₋₆alkoxy, wherein alkyl and alkoxy are optionally substituted with one tofive fluorines, (CH₂)_(n)—C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl, wherein cycloalkyl isoptionally substituted with one to three substituents independentlyselected from halogen, hydroxy, cyano, nitro, CO₂H, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl, and C₁₋₆ alkoxy, wherein alkyl and alkoxyare optionally substituted with one to five fluorines, (CH₂)_(n)—COOH,(CH₂)_(n)—COOC₁₋₆ alkyl, (CH₂)_(n)—NR⁴R⁵, (CH₂)_(n)—CONR⁴R⁵,(CH₂)_(n)—OCONR⁴R⁵, (CH₂)_(n)—SO₂NR⁴R⁵, (CH₂)_(n)—SO₂R⁶,(CH₂)_(n)—NR⁷SO₂R⁶, (CH₂)_(n)—NR⁷CONR⁴R⁵, (CH₂)_(n)—NR⁷COR⁷, and(CH₂)_(n)—NR⁷CO₂R⁶; wherein any individual methylene (CH₂) carbon atomin (CH₂)_(n) is optionally substituted with one to two substituentsindependently selected from fluorine, hydroxy, C₁₋₄ alkyl, and C₁₋₄alkoxy, wherein alkyl and alkoxy are optionally substituted with one tofive fluorines; R^(a), R^(b), R^(c), and R^(d) are each independentlyhydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl optionally substituted with one to fivefluorines; R⁴ and R⁵ are each independently selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, (CH₂)_(m)-phenyl, (CH₂)_(m)—C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl, andC₁₋₆ alkyl, wherein alkyl is optionally substituted with one to fivesubstituents independently selected from fluorine and hydroxy andwherein phenyl and cycloalkyl are optionally substituted with one tofive substituents independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyl, and C₁₋₆ alkoxy, wherein alkyl and alkoxy are optionallysubstituted with one to five fluorines; or R⁴ and R⁵ together with thenitrogen atom to which they are attached form a heterocyclic ringselected from azetidine, pyrrolidine, piperidine, piperazine, andmorpholine wherein said heterocyclic ring is optionally substituted withone to three substituents independently selected from halogen, hydroxy,C₁₋₆ alkyl, and C₁₋₆ alkoxy, wherein alkyl and alkoxy are optionallysubstituted with one to five fluorines; each R⁶ is independently C₁₋₆alkyl, wherein alkyl is optionally substituted with one to fivesubstituents independently selected from fluorine and hydroxyl; and R⁷is hydrogen or R⁶.
 2. The compound of claim 1 wherein each R¹ isindependently selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine,bromine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, and trifluoromethoxy.
 3. The compoundof claim 1 wherein X is O.
 4. The compound of claim 1 wherein R^(a),R^(b), R^(c), and R^(d) are each hydrogen.
 5. The compound of claim 1 ofstructural formula Ia and Ib having the indicated stereochemicalconfiguration at the two stereogenic carbon atoms marked with an *:


6. The compound of claim 5 of structural formula Ia having the indicatedabsolute stereochemical configuration at the two stereogenic carbonatoms marked with an *:


7. The compound of claim 5 of structural formulae Ic and Id having theindicated stereochemical configuration at the three stereogenic carbonatoms marked with an *:


8. The compound of claim 7 of structural formula Ic having the indicatedabsolute stereochemical configuration at the three stereogenic carbonatoms marked with an *:


9. The compound of claim 8 wherein V is selected from the groupconsisting of:


10. The compound of claim 8 wherein V is selected from the groupconsisting of:


11. The compound of claim 1 wherein each R² is independently selectedfrom the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, wherein alkyl isoptionally substituted with one to five fluorines, and C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl,wherein cycloalkyl is optionally substituted with one to threesubstituents independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, C₁₋₄ alkyl,and C₁₋₄ alkoxy, wherein alkyl and alkoxy are optionally substitutedwith one to five fluorines.
 12. The compound of claim 11 wherein each R²is each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,C₁₋₃ alkyl, trifluoromethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, and cyclopropyl. 13.The compound of claim 1 of structural formula Ic:

wherein V is selected from the group consisting of:

and each R² is independently selected from the group consisting of:hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, wherein alkyl is optionally substituted with oneto five fluorines, and C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl, wherein cycloalkyl is optionallysubstituted with one to three substituents independently selected fromhalogen, hydroxy, C₁₋₄ alkyl, and C₁₋₄ alkoxy, wherein alkyl and alkoxyare optionally substituted with one to five fluorines.
 14. The compoundof claim 13 wherein X is O.
 15. The compound of claim 13 which isselected from the group consisting of:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 16. A pharmaceuticalcomposition which comprises a compound of claim 1 and a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier.
 17. (canceled)
 18. The pharmaceutical composition ofclaim 16 additionally comprising metformin.
 19. A method for treatingnon-insulin dependent (Type 2) diabetes in a mammal in need thereofwhich comprises the administration to the mammal of a therapeuticallyeffective amount of a compound of claim 1.